Updated on Nov. 27 at 10:06 a.m. with remarks from Texas Congressman Beto O'Rourke.

AUSTIN — Congressman Beto O'Rourke is now backing the removal of a Confederate plaque from the state Capitol, echoing calls from a Dallas lawmaker that the marker should come down immediately.

O'Rourke weighed into the debate on Tuesday, the day after state historical officials confirmed to The Dallas Morning News that they are reviewing how they might relocate the plaque. The El Paso Democrat, who recently lost his bid to unseat Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, tweeted his support for Rep. Eric Johnson's calls that these officials can, and should, remove the plaque now.

"I'm with Eric on this one," O'Rourke tweeted. "Take it down today."

I’m with Eric on this one. Take it down today. https://t.co/mydRh1N6zP — Beto O'Rourke (@BetoORourke) November 27, 2018

Spurred by a recent opinion from Attorney General Ken Paxton, the State Preservation Board on Monday said staff members are reviewing the agency's procedures for removing a historical item. The agency did not give further detail on what the review would look like, nor did it confirm staff had officially decided the plaque would be taken down.

"This opinion addresses an issue the agency heretofore has not been asked to consider — the removal of artifacts assigned to the agency's care," the board said in a prepared statement. "The agency will now proceed with due diligence to develop a policy that addresses the review and potential removal or relocation of an artifact upon legislative request."

Last week, Paxton issued a long-awaited opinion that said several people have the legal authority to remove the plaque. Here are the ways it could come down:

Request of the curator — The curator of the Texas Capitol, the official custodian of the building's many artifacts, could take down the plaque at a lawmaker's request.

Board action — The governing board of the State Preservation Board, the agency charged with preserving the Texas Capitol and other historic sites, could decide to remove it. The governing board is made up of six people, including Gov. Greg Abbott.

Legislative action — The Legislature could vote to remove it.

The simple marker, which hangs in a hallway on the main floor behind a row of governors' portraits, contains the Children of the Confederacy's creed, which claimed until recently that slavery didn't cause the Civil War. The plaque was erected in 1959 and reads the following in its entirety:

"Because we desire to perpetuate, in love and honor, the heroic deeds of those who enlisted in the Confederate Army, and upheld its flag through four years of war, we, the children of the South, have enlisted in an Organization called "Children of the Confederacy," in which our strength, enthusiasm and love of justice can exert its influence.

We, therefore, pledge ourselves to preserve pure ideals: To honor our veterans, to study and teach the truths of history (one of the most important of which is, that the war between the states was not a rebellion nor was its underlying cause to sustain slavery) and to always act in a manner that will reflect honor upon our noble and patriotic ancestors."

For decades, black lawmakers have asked for the plaque to be taken down, saying it is inaccurate and offensive. Johnson, D-Dallas, took up that mantle last year when his Capitol office was relocated across the hallway from the marker.

In October, he filed a request with Capitol curator Ali James to relocate the plaque "so long as it is not a public space of honor. A museum with accompanying explanatory material makes sense to me."

Johnson told The News on Monday he hopes James doesn't punt the issue to state lawmakers, who have promised to focus on property taxes and funding public schools when they next meet in January.

"She has the expertise and the training," Johnson said. "I'd rather see this decision be made by an actual expert, an academic, than by politicians. There's no need to wait until the legislative session and make this a political issue."

House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, is the only governing member of the State Preservation Board that has weighed in on the issue since Paxton issued his opinion. Last week, he again called for the plaque's removal. The other five members of the board either declined to speak about the issue or did not return requests for comment.

Abbott has not publicly commented on Paxton's opinion. But in the past, he's agreed the plaque should come down if lawmakers approve its removal.

"Because the Legislature was the body that put it up, it's the Legislature's responsibility to take it down," Abbott said during a September debate with then-challenger Lupe Valdez. "But should they take it down because of the factual inaccuracy? Absolutely."