Rep. Calvert Statement on Park Service Flag Amendment
Last night, during debate of the Fiscal Year 2016 Interior and Environment Appropriations bill an amendment was brought to me by House Leadership at the request of some southern Members of the Republican Caucus. The Leadership amendment would have codified existing National Park Service policy set by the Obama administration. Those Obama administration policies prohibit the sale and display of the Confederate flag on National Park Service properties, except when displayed in a historical or educational context. To be clear, I wholeheartedly support the Park Service's prohibitions regarding the Confederate flag and the amendment did nothing to change these prohibitions.
Three amendments concerning the Confederate flag were adopted during the open rule process under which the Interior bill was considered. I accepted all of these amendments without disagreement or debate. The Jeffries amendment and the Huffman amendment regarding National Park concessioners maintained the Obama administration exceptions for displays in a historical and educational context, however, the Huffman amendment regarding National Park cemeteries did not. The intent of the Leadership's amendment was to clear up any confusion and maintain the Obama administration's policies with respect to those historical and educational exceptions.
Looking back, I regret not conferring with my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, especially my Ranking Member Betty McCollum, prior to offering the Leadership's amendment and fully explaining its intent given the strong feelings Members of the House have regarding this important and sensitive issue.
Below I have included all the amendments offered including the Leadership's amendment. You can also find the National Park Service (NPS) Director's Order #61, which the Leadership amendment would have codified. The Park Service regulation set by the Obama administration allows the placement of Confederate flags on the graves of Confederate soldiers one day a year. The acquisition and placement of the flags is not supported by any federal funding and it is explicitly stated that the Confederate flag will not be flown on any cemetery flagpole.
Original Jeffries Amendment (accepted by voice vote):
http://repcloakroom.house.gov/uploadedfiles/intfy16jeffries.pdf
Original Huffman Amendment (accepted by voice vote):
http://repcloakroom.house.gov/uploadedfiles/intfy16huffman.pdf
Second Huffman Amendment (accepted by voice vote):
http://repcloakroom.house.gov/uploadedfiles/intfy16huffman2.pdf
Leadership Amendment:
http://repcloakroom.house.gov/uploadedfiles/intfy16calvert.pdf
Director's Order #61:
http://www.nps.gov/policy/DOrders/DO-61.pdf
National Park Service Memorandum from June 24, 2015
/uploadedfiles/20150624_dom_confederateflag.pdf