In a contentious exchange on the U.S. House floor last Wednesday, lawmakers clashed over Republican efforts to ban pride flags at the Department of Defense while the federal government faces an imminent shutdown deadline.

U.S. Rep. Maxine Dexter , a Democrat from Oregon’s 3rd Congressional District, criticized her Republican colleagues for prioritizing cultural issues over government funding.

“There are 20 days until the government shuts down. Eight legislative days,” Dexter said. “And what are Republicans focused on? Flags. Pride flags.”

The debate centered on an amendment that would prohibit the display of pride flags “in any workplace or common area at the Department of Defense,” according to Dexter, who characterized the measure as “cruel and callous.”

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