State Senate Debates Historical Monuments Legislation

The Alabama Senate Tuesday debated legislation that would prohibit the removal of historical monuments from public property without lawmakers' prior approval.  The legislation doesn't specify Confederate monuments but comes after civil rights activists' push to remove markers across the South.  Birmingham is considering the removal of a Confederate statue in a downtown park.  Republican Sen. Gerald Allen of Tuscaloosa , the bill's sponsor, says he hopes it will avoid "decisions made in haste."  Democratic Sen. Linda Coleman-Madison says she disagrees with legislators' attempts to govern local issues.  The Senate called for adjournment before the bill was voted on.