Transcript of Pelosi, House Democrats Press Conference Today on Resolution to Remove Any State Flag Containing Confederate Battle Flag from Capitol

Press Conference

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Members of the House Democratic Caucus held a press conference today on Leader Pelosi's privileged resolution to remove any state flag containing the Confederate battle flag from the United States Capitol. Below is a transcript of Leader Pelosi's opening and closing statements, as well as a question and answer session:

Leader Pelosi's Opening Remarks

"Good afternoon, everyone. Today, we had action on the floor -- I presented a privileged resolution, which really captured the initiative put forth by Congressman Bennie Thompson two weeks ago. Two weeks ago, on June 25th, that resolution was referred to the Committee on House Administration, never to be heard from again. That's intolerable. So today, I put forth, in essence, Mr. Thompson's similar resolution, and that was referred to the Committee on House Administration. It has to be dealt with, though, expeditiously -- we hope. But we shall see.

"In the meantime, I had a parliamentary inquiry to ask: tell Members, what is the status of Mr. Bennie Thompson's resolution of two weeks ago? And they were not prepared. The Chair said he couldn't tell us anything about that. So here we are, on the 147th anniversary of the 14th Amendment, which guarantees equal protection under the law. Here we are, on a day when the state of South Carolina, by an act of the legislature and the signature of the Governor, will be taking down the flag. The House of Representatives -- the Republicans in the House of Representatives are voting down any discussion, even of Confederate Battle Flags in the Capitol of the United States.

"I couldn't be prouder of our Members. This is a matter of values, of principle, of who we are as Americans. And I want to acknowledge their great leadership. And in doing so, I want to yield to our distinguished Assistant Leader, Mr. Clyburn, and thank him for the inspiration he has been to our nation, especially in the last few weeks -- and to extend our sympathies for the losses he has suffered in his state and in his district, and thank him for his leadership on this and so many other issues in the Congress of the United States. Mr. Clyburn."

Leader Pelosi's Closing Remarks:

"Thank you, Mr. Butterfield. I think it is important to note that, as we are talking about this -- the coincidences of time are just remarkable. On the very day of the 147th anniversary of the 14th amendment; on the very day that South Carolina will have the bill signed to take down the flag; on that very day, the Republicans had to take down their appropriations bill.

"And it's important to note this: the reason they proposed -- the Republicans proposed the Calvert amendment last night was because, as their Chairman, Mr. Rogers, said, they feared losing one hundred of their Members because of the Jeffries-Huffman amendments. Is that remarkable? One hundred of their Members would vote against the bill, as Congresswoman McCollum, the Ranking Member on the Committee said, the bill wasn't bad enough for them. They needed something worse -- not only pollution and all the rest of it, and special interests, but they needed hatred in the bill as well. So that's what's interesting.

"So we have this conversation with you here for one reason: we weren't able to speak on the floor. It's highly unusual for a privileged resolution offered by the Leader of one of the parties on the floor to be denied any -- not one minute of debate. They yielded back all of their time, because they were afraid. They were afraid of what our colleagues said here. But I tell you, they were more afraid about what those 100 Members of Congress might come to the floor and say in defense of the Calvert Amendment.

"So here we are, on this day of so many coincidences. And let me say: I don't paint the South with the brush of those 100 Members on the Republican side. Many patriotic Americans throughout the South fought under the American flag in many wars in our country. Patriotism lives there, as well. So this is not about them. It's about us, and who we are, and how committed we are to when we take that oath -- "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America' -- and, as Mr. Clyburn, said: "one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice' -- justice -- "for all.' And that's what we want right now: justice for all. So, any of my colleagues -- I'm so pleased to have so many of our colleagues here, who would be a resource in answering any of the questions you may have.

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