NC House Passes Controversial Monuments Bill

A bill protecting historical monuments is heading to the governor's desk.  The House passed the legislation Tuesday.

The bill was approved after the Republican-heavy chamber overcame hours of debate launched by Democrats who condemned the bill for preserving Confederate symbols.

The vote in favor was expected after the House gave tentative approval on Monday following debate that stretched into the night.

While Monday's debate stepped gingerly around the hot-button issue of Confederate memorials, Democrats and Republicans gave passionate speeches from the floor on Tuesday.

Gov. Pat McCrory will have final say over the bill, but his office has declined to comment.

North Carolina NAACP president Rev. William Barber issued a statement criticizing the measure, saying the rush to pass the bill is "extreme and wrongheaded."