The U.S. House of Representatives voted Thursday to give the District of Columbia its first full vote in Congress in more than two centuries, a critical but early step in a difficult journey to make the bill a law.
Three days after thousands of D.C. residents marched on the U.S. Capitol to demand representation, House members voted for the D.C. Voting Rights Act 241-177, sending the bill to an uncertain fate in the Senate. The legislation, co-sponsored by Rep. Tom Davis, R-Va., and Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., would expand the 435-member House by two seats, one for the heavily Democratic District and the other for Republican-stronghold Utah.
Norton, a tireless supporter who stands to become the city’s first voting representative in 206 years, called the bill a “labor of love.” Mayor Adrian Fenty described the vote as “a statement of our country’s principles, values and morals.”
“Today the House of Representatives said you’re a part of this country 100 percent,” Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said during a post-vote press conference.
The measure’s critics argue it flouts the Constitution, which explicitly provides representation only to residents of “the several states.” If the District wants a vote, they say, it should do so through a constitutional amendment or by ceding to Maryland.
“I would submit the new Democratic majority is trying to pad their numbers here on the House floor,” Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., said.
The proposal now goes to the Senate, where Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn., is expected to lead the charge to corral the 60 required votes. But a Republican filibuster looms, and the vital support of Utah’s two senators, Republicans Orrin Hatch and Robert Bennett, is unclear.
In a statement, Hatch said the GOP’s constitutional concerns and President Bush’s opposition present serious problems.
“I am supportive of the efforts to gain another seat for Utah,” Hatch said. “But it’s not clear that we would have the votes to pass the bill that’s currently being debated in the House.”
Former Rep. Jack Kemp, a critical ally and renowned arm-twister, said he would “use the shame factor” with the Senate.
“As they send our boys to Baghdad and Kabul, what are they going to do for D.C.?” Kemp asked.
Examiner Staff Writer Charles Hurt contributed to this article.
