June 28, 2006
 
Rockefeller Voted For, Byrd Against Flag Desecration Amendment That Failed 66-34
 
By HNN Staff
 
Washington, DC (HNN) – Senator Jay Rockefeller, D-WV, on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 voted for a constitutional amendment that would have empowered Congress to ban the desecration one of our country’s most sacred symbols. Rockefeller sponsored the amendment.
 
Senior West Virginia Senator Robert Byrd, D-WV, voted no.
 
With a constitutional amendment needing two-thirds of the Senate (67 votes) to pass, the amendment failed when it received only 66 votes. The final vote was 66-34.
 
“Throughout the history of our country, our flag has given the brave men and women serving in uniform the strength to persevere and protect the freedoms that are a foundation of our way of life,” said Rockefeller. “We owe them – and we owe all Americans – an amendment that would guarantee the preservation of the honor, integrity, and history represented in that flag.
 
“That’s why I supported the constitutional amendment to ban the desecration of the American flag. I am -- and will always be -- strongly opposed to demonstrations at the funerals of members of our Armed Forces. I also strongly support -- and always will -- the criminalizing of anyone so callous to undertake such an action.
 
“But today, we were forced to make a choice. In the past, we have tried to enact a federal law to protect the flag, but courts have struck them down. By attempting to make this a constitutional amendment, we were trying to take the first step to truly protect our flag.”