Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., on Monday asked for the Defense Department’s help in lowering American flags to half-staff on all government buildings until the late Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., is buried this weekend.
“Senators Schumer & McConnell have requested that the @DeptofDefense provide necessary support so that U.S. flags on all government buildings remain at half mast through sunset on the day of Senator McCain’s internment,” Matt House, communications director for Schumer, announced on Twitter Monday afternoon.
Senators Schumer & McConnell have requested that the @DeptofDefense provide necessary support so that U.S. flags on all government buildings remain at half mast through sunset on the day of Senator McCain’s internment.
— Matt House (@mattwhouse) August 27, 2018
The White House and Pentagon came under criticism Monday after reports that they lowered their flags on Sunday only to raise them back full-staff the following day.
[Related: Veterans group slams White House for ‘blatant disrespect’ following John McCain’s death]
A spokesman for Schumer told the Washington Examiner Monday that the request is standard operating procedure for when a member passes away. They said how the Department of Defense handles the request, what support they provide, and whether they consult the White House is up to them.
“Support means what it (always) means: logistical, musical, ceremonial participation, etc.” David Popp, communications director for McConnell, told the Washington Examiner.
Shortly after McCain died Saturday night, the president tweeted out a small statement offering his condolences to the McCain family and ordered that American flags be lowered to half-staff to honor the life of late senator.
The U.S. Code states that when a member of Congress dies, flags should be lowered to half-staff the day of the death and the following day. Traditionally, however, the flags stay lowered for several days until the person is buried. The decision to raise the flags to full-staff after such a short time was viewed as a slight by the White House.
The flags atop the U.S. Capitol building and those surrounding the Washington Monument remained at half-staff Monday.
