In a departure from other queries, Rep. Tom Price was asked about his support and remarks over the Confederate flag while he was a state lawmaker in Georgia.

"You fought hard to keep the Confederate flag," said Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., during a confirmation hearing Wednesday on Price's nomination to become Health and Human Services secretary.

Kaine referred to the Republican's time in the Georgia legislature, including a resolution to make April Confederate History Heritage Month and his support of a resolution calling for schools to commemorate Confederate heritage and history.

"Every heritage has things that are good about it. Every heritage has things that are harmful about it," Price responded. "I think slavery is an abomination."

He added that during his time in the state Senate he worked to create a state flag that didn't have the Confederate battle flag on it.