As South Carolina lawmakers voted to take down the Confederate flag, Republicans in the U.S. Congress blocked a measure to remove it from the U.S. Capitol, sending the resolution to a committee. House Republicans also introduced a measure to allow Confederate flags in national cemeteries. Republicans eventually withdrew the bid following protests by Democrats, including New York Congressmember Hakeem Jeffries.

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries: “The members of the Republican Conference who support the Confederate battle flag apparently argue that this is about heritage and tradition. What exactly is the tradition the Confederate battle flag is meant to represent? Is it slavery? Rape? Kidnap? Genocide? Treason? Or all of the above?”