Confederate flags won't fly above veterans cemeteries anymore

WASHINGTON — The Confederate flag will no longer fly on flagpoles in national cemeteries run by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

A new policy announced in a letter to members of Congress places limits on where and how Confederate flags can be flown.

The VA says it will continue to allow small flags at individual gravesites on certain, specified days and during ceremonies.

Earlier this year, the House of Representatives passed an amendment with identical language to the new policy, but it was not included in the final bill that became law.

Now the VA has moved forward with the issue on its own.

Rep. Jared Huffman, D-California, led the efforts in Congress to restrict display of the rebel flag.

“Our federal government should not be displaying this symbol gratuitously and certainly not in our national cemeteries," he said. "That’s what this is about.”

The new rule only applies to cemeteries run by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

It does not impact other federal lands.

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