House Democrats will take up a bill today that would give the District of Columbia and four territorial delegates a vote in the chamber, but some critics worry that the bill will diffuse momentum to get full voting rights for D.C.
Republicans called the measure “a greedy power grab.” Four of the five delegates — including the District of Columbia’s Eleanor Holmes Norton — are Democrats.
Some critics also worry that the bill runs against D.C.’s voting rights movement.
“It’s counterproductive for those of us who are pushing for full voting rights of the District of Columbia,” said David Marin, spokesman for Rep. Tom Davis, R-Va.
The bill would allowthe delegates from D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa and the Virgin Islands to vote on the House floor as members of “the committee of the whole.” The Democrats gave delegates a floor vote in 1993-94 — the last year they controlled Congress.
Of the territories in the committee-of-the-whole bill, only D.C. residents pay federal taxes.
Davis’ bill fizzled late last year. He and Norton have already reintroduced a similar version this year.
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., promised Tuesday that the committee-of-the-whole bill would not delay a D.C. voting rights bill.
“It is outrageous, undemocratic and inconsistent with American principles that the District of Columbia representative does not have a full, complete vote in the House of Representatives,” he said. “I feel very passionate about that. It’s indefensible.”
Norton released a statement Tuesday saying that she discussed the committee-of-the-whole vote with House leadership last week.
“This vote is still not what D.C. residents want and deserve — the full House vote,” the statement said. “However, it would be welcome and useful.”
Anyone with information on Congress can call 202-459-4956.
