House Republicans passed a resolution seeking to overturn a city law that would give illegal immigrants the right to vote in local elections in Washington, D.C., reviving tensions with the federal government as district lawmakers implore Congress to preserve their autonomy.
The resolution disapproving of the city law passed in a 260-161 vote, with 42 Democrats joining Republicans on Thursday. The bill now heads to the Senate, where it’s unlikely to pass the Democratic-controlled chamber.
HOUSE GOP PLANS VOTE TO OVERTURN DC LAWS, INCLUDING ALLOWING NONCITIZENS TO VOTE
Republicans introduced the measure shortly after gaining the House majority last month, seeking to maintain control over the limited self-government currently permitted in Washington, D.C. Although the D.C. Council can pass local legislation, all laws are subject to congressional approval because Washington is not a state.
The D.C. Council passed a bill last year that would allow illegal immigrants to vote in local elections beginning in 2024, following the lead of a handful of smaller towns in Maryland, such as Hyattsville and Takoma Park, that already have similar laws in place. Local lawmakers have argued for years that legal noncitizens should have the right to vote because they pay taxes and are directly affected by city laws, while opponents have countered that voting rights should be withheld until full citizenship is attained.
Rep. James Comer (R-KY) introduced the resolution disapproving of the law in January, calling it an “attack on the foundation of this republic.”
“This move by the Council is irresponsible and will only exacerbate the ongoing border crisis, subvert the voices of American citizens, and open the door for foreign adversaries to peddle influence in our nation’s capital,” Comer said in a statement. “It should go without saying: only Americans should have the power to influence local policy and guide their hard-earned taxpayer dollars to important initiatives. All Members of Congress, both Republicans and Democrats, should strongly oppose this radical effort by the D.C. Council and support this Joint Resolution.”
House Republicans previously sought to block measures allowing illegal immigrants to vote in Washington’s elections last summer, with 30 signing on to a bill that would ban the district from allowing such a provision. However, that bill failed to make its way through the Democratic majority.
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District lawmakers have pushed back against congressional efforts to intervene in their legislative process, arguing the district has the right to self-govern.
“Just as Congress does not interfere in the local matters of other states, we compel you not to interfere in our matters,” the D.C. Council wrote in a letter to House leaders. “The Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act simply extends the franchise as a number of other jurisdictions have done and as is well within DC’s right to do.”
DC Vote, an organization advocating full representation for the district in Congress, echoed this sentiment in a statement following the vote.
“Despite today’s developments, we at DC Vote and in the DC Statehood movement are still motivated to achieve nothing less than full freedom,” said communications director Patrice Snow. “It is unacceptable that in 2023 there are still Americans who are fighting their status as second-class citizens. The freedom to govern ourselves and determine our own destiny is far too important for the antics and stunts of those who want to roll back the basic, fundamental rights of DC’s residents. DC Statehood is the only answer.”
