Redskins should change name, Pelosi says

Rep. Nancy PelosiNancy Patricia D'Alesandro PelosiGraham backs bill to protect Mueller Clyburn says some critics are using race to oppose his leadership bid Congress can unite on global affairs MORE believes the Washington Redskins should find a new name.

In an interview with The Hill, the California Democrat said it “probably would be a good idea if they change the name.”

The House minority leader is the latest politician who has embraced a name change. President Obama earlier this month said he would “think about changing” the team name if he owned the football team.

Pelosi noted that when she was growing up in Baltimore, the city didn’t have a football team.

“So one of the first songs I ever learned in my whole life was, ‘Hail to the Redskins.’ I didn’t have the faintest idea what I was saying, but I’ve known it forever,” she said.

Pelosi noted she has been focusing on other issues but is aware that Native American groups have criticized the name as a slur.

Other politicians who have called for a change include Reps. Betty McCollumBetty Louise McCollumDem lawmaker: Trump ‘trying to aid our adversaries at the expense of national security’ House completes first half of 2019 spending bills House lawmakers vote to give modest budget cuts to EPA, Interior MORE (D-Minn.) and Tom Cole (R-Okla.) and Dels. Eleanor Holmes NortonEleanor Holmes NortonThe Hill's Morning Report — Sponsored by Better Medicare Alliance — Steady Kavanaugh proves to be a tough target for Democrats Dems vow rules overhaul to empower members if House flips Overnight Health Care: House votes to repeal medical device tax | Fierce ObamaCare critic joins administration | GOP senators target DC individual mandate MORE (D-D.C.) and Eni Faleomavaega (D-American Samoa).

Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.), a civil rights hero, told The Hill in March that the Redskins should consider a name change.

Redskins owner Dan Snyder has said he will never change the name.