Mississippi House votes to redesign state flag that contains Confederate symbol

The Mississippi state House of Representatives on Sunday overwhelmingly approved a bill that calls for removing the state flag and redesigning it to eliminate the controversial Confederate symbol it currently bears.

The 91-23 vote means that the state Senate will now decide on the matter. Republican Gov. Tate Reeves has indicated willingness to sign legislation if it reaches his desk, according to Mississippi Today, though the outlet reported that the state executive had not taken a firm stance on the issue of altering the flag.

"The gallery of the Senate broke out in applause when they heard that the House had passed the flag bill," the Clarion Ledger reported.

Mississippi is the last state in the union with the Confederate symbol on its flag.

The move comes amid a nationwide focus on issues pertaining to race following the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minnesota.

President Trump has publicly come out against the idea of renaming military installations that carry the names of Confederate leaders. NASCAR has banned Confederate flags at its events. Statues and monuments around the country have been either removed, defaced, or in some cases, toppled by protestors.