An amendment proposed by a conservative Republican could kill the East Sea, Sea of Japan bill for this session, reports the Washington Post.
The bill which was passed in the Virginia legislature would require text books in Virginia to refer to the sea by both names. Koreans see the name the Sea of Japan as a reminder of Japanese imperialism and Korean Americans lobbied hard for the bill.
The amendment proposed by Del. R. Steven Landes (R-Augusta) would require textbooks also give acknowledgement to the contributions of African Americans and American Indians.
The Virginia Legislative Black Caucus has also thrown its support to the amendment. If approved, the Bill would have to be sent back to the Senate for approval of the altered bill.
But there is no time for that to happen since the legislature is just days away from closing for the session.
You can read more about what’s behind the amendment in the Washington Post.