The D.C. Voting Rights Act passed another congressional hurdle Wednesday as the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee approved the legislation by a 9-1 vote.
But this came after the committee tacked on two amendments proposed by Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, one providing for expedited judicial review of the bill’s constitutionality and another forbidding the District from ever receiving a Senate seat.
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“The concern I have always had is how this representation could be granted to the District in a manner that is consistent with the Constitution,” Collins said. “The constitutionality of this legislation is a close call and is best resolved by the courts.”
The House of Representatives in April passed its version of the bill, a political compromise that would give the District a voting seat and Utah, a traditionally conservative state, an additional seat in the House.
On Wednesday, Sen. John Warner, R-Va., cast the lone dissenting vote. Sen. Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn. and chairman of the committee, said he hopes the full Senate will take up the bill next month. President Bush already has promised to veto the act if it passes Congress. Opponents of the act argue the Constitution limits voting members of the House to the states.
Supporters of the legislation, however, argue the bill aims to solve the inherent injustice of taxation without representation.
“The time is right,” said Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. “People who are paying taxes and invested in our government should have some say. This is a step in the direction of justice.”
Lieberman praised what he called the bipartisan support in the House for the bill, which saw 22 Republicans vote for the measure.
Backers of the legislation, however, expect much tougher opposition in the Senate.
“It’s time to correct this historic wrong,” Lieberman said.
