Glory Hallelujah
H.R. 1905, the updated DC Voting Rights Act, passed the House earlier today. This three days after 4,000 to 6,000 defied inclement weather to support the Voting Rights March on the Capitol.
Ilir at DC Vote says, “Thousands of us turned out this week to demand the vote, and Congress listened. We have had an uphill battle, and DC’s struggle with Congress has often felt like David vs. Goliath. Today we celebrate a hard-fought victory and roll up our sleeves for the Senate. We will have a battle in the Senate, but we have democracy on our side.”
Congressional Quarterly covered the vote today, with all the partisan rhetoric you could dream up (or repeat by rote) from the minority party:
http://www.cqpolitics.com/2007/04/from_cq_today_house_passes_dc.html
No props to Rep. Patrick T. McHenry, R-NC, who championed the partisan flap of the day by saying, “The Democrats are looking for a raw power grab.” But due propers to Congresswoman Norton, who told them, ““If DC were Republican, they would be arguing for voting rights … I yield you no ground.”
Certainly the Voting Rights March on Monday was a good shot in the arm for Congress. The City Paper has some good on-the-scene coverage of the event:
April 20th, 2007 at 5:08 pm
D.C. residents absolutely deserve a vote in Congress.
FEDERAL TAXES: Like the rest of Americans, and unlike other territories like Guam, D.C. residents pay FEDERAL taxes. They actually pay the highest amount in taxes per capita in the nation. Can you imagine paying federal taxes, but having no vote on how your tax dollars are spent???
SOLDIERS IN WAR: Like the rest of Americans, and unlike other territories, D.C. residents have also fought and died in every American war stretching back to the War of 1812. Currently, they have no vote on whether or not their residents get sent to war. Think of screwed up that is alone.
DEMOCRACY: D.C. is the only capital of a democracy IN THE WORLD that is not allowed a vote in their national legislature. Even the people living in Baghdad can vote for a federal representative. In this case, Iraqis have more democracy than America.
CONSTITUTIONAL: The Constitution gives the Congress the power to do whatever it wants with the District. It’s called the “District Clause,” Article 1, Section 8: “To exercise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever, over such District.” In 1800, Congress took away voting rights from D.C. using that power. That same power gives them the right to give it back. Conservative thinkers like Kenneth Starr (Clinton impeachment) and Viet Dihn (author of the Patriot Act) have come to the same conclusion. It is fair and will stand. A Constitutional amendment is unnecessary.
NO NET GAIN: Since Utah will also get an extra vote in Congress, there is no net gain for either party. This follows the tradition of introducing states like traditionally Democratic Hawaii and traditionally Republican Alaska at the same time.
FOREIGN POLICY: D.C.’s denial of voting representation has actually impacted America’s ability to carry out foreign policy. Rogue nations with poor human rights records argue that America cannot claim total innocence as they deny voting rights to the residents of their nation’s capital city. This has been an effective tool for countries with horrible records to continue their abuses.
I realize that it is a lot to swallow. But truly, it is time to give the residents of America’s capital the right to vote in Congress.