U.S. House swaps ‘offensive’ state flags for coins

The U.S. House of Representatives has decided to remove all state flags from the Capitol’s Rayburn House, replacing them with each state’s commemorative coin.

Michigan Representative Candice Miller, chair of the House Administration Committee, which oversees the various administrative services provided on Capitol Hill, made the decision as the appropriations process is slated to begin.

“Given the controversy surrounding Confederate imagery, I decided to install a new display,” said Miller in a statement on the committee’s website. “I am well aware of how many Americans negatively view the Confederate flag, and, personally, I am very sympathetic to these views. However, I also believe that it is not the business of the federal government to dictate what flag each state flies.”

Last year, amid the controversy surrounding the display of Confederate symbols on federal property, the appropriations process – an important part of the U.S. budget process that appropriates money to specific federal departments, agencies, and programs – was all but halted. The state flags, which formerly hung in a busy hallway of the Rayburn House, have since been removed.

“A print of each state’s commemorative coin will be tastefully displayed for this highly trafficked area,” said Miller, “as each quarter serves as a reminder of the ideals, landmarks and people from each state, as well as this nation’s great motto, ‘out of many, one.’”

To view the U.S. Mint’s 50 State Quarters, click here.

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