By JM Rieger and Bridget Bowman

Senate Chaplain Barry Black took a moment to praise the South Carolina state government Thursday morning, after it voted to remove the Confederate battle flag from the state capitol grounds. “Guide us with your powerful hands,” Black, the first black Senate chaplain, said in his opening prayer. “And Lord we praise you for the courage of the South Carolina legislature.” Black’s comments came at the same time the House floor was erupting at the news Republican leaders had decided to bring a contentious amendment to the floor allowing Confederate flag imagery to remain displayed on graves on federal land. Under pressure, GOP leaders pulled that vote late Thursday morning. Read more.