RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Virginia lawmakers passed legislation Tuesday that would give local governments the authority to remove or relocate Confederate monuments in their public spaces, ending a state law prohibiting cities and counties from doing so.
The Virginia House voted 53-46 to pass its bill after the Senate voted along party lines to advance its own. The identical bills allow local governments to “remove, relocate, or alter any monument or memorial for war veterans located in its public space, regardless of when erected.”
Both measures passed as lawmakers work to advance legislation on crossover day, the session’s midpoint when bills must pass the Senate and House to be considered and approved by the other chamber before becoming a law.
After seizing control of the state legislature, Democrats pushed to repeal the current law and permit localities to remove Confederate statues in their public spaces.
In January, the majority of the Richmond City Council agreed to pass a resolution asking the Virginia General Assembly to enact measures to allow Richmond to decide what to do with Confederate monuments owned by the city.
Stay with 8News for the latest on the Virginia General Assembly.
LATEST HEADLINES:
