SC Senate gives final OK to Confederate flag removal, House next

As expected, the South Carolina Senate gave final approval Tuesday, to removing the Confederate battle flag from the State House grounds.

However, the road could be bumpier in the House, which will likely vote on the controversial issue Wednesday.

Several amendments were introduced in the house to consider flying a different flag where the confederate flag now flies.

One of those amendments was co-authored by Republican Rep. Gary Simrill of Rock Hill. It would replace the battle flag with a South Carolina regimental infantry flag.

It's a flag that confederate soldiers carried during the civil war.  It also flew over Fort Sumter.

Simrill said it's an inoffensive way to honor state history.

"The Confederate flag has been co-opted by hate groups, and is seen as a symbol of hate," he said. "This proposal would replace that flag with one that still honors those soldiers who fought and died for the south."

However, Tuesday morning, House Democrats who caught wind of those amendments, called a news conference.  They told reporters they will fight to make sure there's no flag behind the Confederate Soldier's Monument, and no flag pole either.

Rep. Todd Rutherford of Richland County spoke for house Democrats.

"We now ask that they not erect hurdles, that they not try and pass other amendments, and put up other flags and other symbols of the Confederacy," he said.

Simrill however, said raising another flag would be in keeping with the Heritage Act, passed in 2000 when the Confederate flag was removed from the Capitol dome and placed on the State House grounds.

"If we don't do this, then it'll be clear this isn't just about the flag at all, but it's really about removing all things confederate from the state house," Simrill said.

Earlier in the day, the Senate passed the flag bill on a final vote of 36-3. The house is expected to take up the debate Wednesday, and the bill could be on the governor's desk by Friday. 

Governor Nikki Haley has already come out in favor of removing the flag, and will sign the bill.

It's not clear yet, how the flag will be removed, and if a ceremony will be involved.