SC Senate Advances Bill to Remove Confederate Flag

The South Carolina Senate is taking another step to remove the Confederate flag from the grounds of the state capitol.

The issue is up for debate Tuesday, along with another round of voting. The bill must pass with a two-thirds majority. In a preliminary vote on Monday, senators approved the removal of the flag and the flagpole 37-3.

"The South Carolina Senate ... rose to this historic occasion, with a large majority of members from both parties coming together in the spirit of unity and healing that is binding our state back together and moving us forward in the right direction," Gov. Nikki Haley said after Monday's vote.

"I applaud the Senate's decisive action ... and ask that the House act swiftly and follow the Senate's lead," she added.

This latest push to pull the Confederate flag comes after the death of Clementa Pinckney, a South Carolina senator and pastor. He and eight of his parishioners were killed inside Mother Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston in June.

Police say the gunman targeted black people and he took pictures of himself with the Confederate flag.

Still, there is opposition removing the flag. The House must also pass the measure before it reaches the governor's desk.