Reports from the Senate indicate that the leadership is close to getting a two-thirds vote in order to suspend the rules. Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann stated that the House should move first. Hosemann stated that there was nothing on the Senate side to be discussed, and that the House must adopt their resolution. This Hosemann stated on Thursday afternoon as Hosemann walked towards a meeting with Philip Gunn. As of Friday noon, however, there was no agreement between Senate and House leadership on how exactly they would proceed with the bill. Many, including the former governor. Former Gov. Phil Bryant and U.S. Senator Roger Wicker have supported a flag that displays the state seal. This phrase includes the phrase “In God we Trust”. The Mississippi Economic Council released a poll this week. The leaders of the Legislature have discussed the possibility of removing the flag from session this year and creating a commission to design multiple replacement designs that could be put on a ballot. Gunn and Hosemann have tried to persuade a reluctant GOP majority to change the flag as they face pressure from religious, business and civic leaders, as well as other leaders from sports, universities, and sport. Many Republican legislators have been opposed to changing the flag for many years, especially without a popular vote. Some lawmakers who support changing the flag fear backlash from constituents. Republican Governor Tate Reeves, the de facto head state GOP, opposes the Legislature changing flag. However, some legislators are beginning to change their mind. Rep. Karl Oliver (R-Winona), stated in a 2017 post on social media that anyone who supports the removal of Confederate monuments must be “lynched.” He has not commented on the issue in recent weeks. Oliver released a statement on Thursday saying that he was trying to unify the state and asked for support from all of us. Religious leaders have voiced concern, saying that changing the flag was a “moral issue”.