(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Murray voted against a constitutional amendment that would ban flag burning. The measure failed 66-34. (A vote of two-thirds of the Senate in favor of the amendment was required for passage.)
Murray’s statement follows:
“My dad was a disabled World War II veteran who was one of the first soldiers sent into Okinawa. My father fought and sacrificed for America’s freedom and he told me once that he hoped I would never vote to take away those freedoms. Today, I voted to keep my promise to my dad.
“Let me be clear, I am personally offended by incidents of flag burning, and I have tremendous admiration for our veterans who fought for the freedoms that our flag represents. While I understand and respect work to protect the flag, I do not believe we should amend the Constitution to limit freedom of expression, no matter how offensive that expression might be.
“I hope Congress will now move forward and honor our veterans, their service and their sacrifice by providing the resources and benefits they deserve. I call on my Senate colleagues to approve emergency funds to ensure that the VA doesn’t pay for needed credit protection services with already scarce VA health care and benefit dollars.”
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