DC Voting Rights Bill is Stalled in the House!!

BILL TO GIVE THE RESIDENTS OF D.C. REPRESENTATION IN CONGRESS IS HUNG UP ON ISSUES OF GUN VIOLENCE AND SELF RULE

THE ISSUE:
Legislation that passed the U.S. Senate (S. 160, the District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act ) two weeks ago to give the residents of the District of Columbia voting representation in Congress is currently stalled in the House over the issues of gun violence and self-rule. Specifically, just prior to final passage by the Senate, Senator John Ensign proposed an amendment which would override all of the city's gun violence prevention laws. Many of these laws have been in place for almost 30 years and were enacted through the democratic process by the residents of the District of Columbia. They affect only D.C. residents who have consistently supported laws to ban handguns bought after 1976, require that registered firearms bought before 1976 must be kept unloaded and disassembled, or with the trigger locked and outlawed assault weapons altogether.

In addition to our strong support of H.R. 157 the District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act (the House companion to S. 160) the NAACP also strongly opposes any move to repeal the District's self-enacted gun safety measures. While some may disagree with these laws, it is clear that they were enacted democratically by officials who were duly elected by the citizens of the District of Columbia and that they continue to enjoy the support of the majority of the people who live under them. The mayor and the city council, all of whom were acting on behalf of their constituents, drafted, debated and finally enacted this legislation as a means of protecting their constituents, their families, and law enforcement officers. The fact that these laws have remained on the books for more than 28 years is significant; the people of the District of Columbia, faced with unacceptably high rates of death by firearm (169 in DC in 2001) and the huge human and economic costs associated with gun violence (the closing of DC General hospital, which was overwhelmed by uninsured citizens coming in with gunshot wounds) have continued to support a variety of gun control laws to stem the tide of violence.

So we must now urge the House of Representatives to support H.R. 157, the District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act and to oppose any amendments that would undermine or ignore the democratic will of the residents of the District of Columbia, especially as they relate to gun violence. Despite the fact that they pay federal taxes, serve on juries and defend our Nation in times of war like most other Americans, the residents of the District of Columbia are barred from having voting representation on the floor of the U.S. House or Senate. This classic example of "taxation without representation" is contrary to everything that this nation is founded on. This means that more than half a million people, more than 57% of whom are African American (with Caucasians making up just over 30% of the population and 8.5% of the residents claiming Hispanic background), are paying money to and dying for a government in which they have no say. It also means that the federal government is receiving and spending $4 billion without having to account for it.

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S.160 'The DC Voting Rights Act' passes in the Senate!

The Senate today voted to give the citizens of the District Of Columbia a vote in the House Of Representatives. The District is currently represented in the House by delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, who serves as a non-voting member.

Summary of S.160 (DC Voting Rights Act)

(Sec. 2) Considers the District of Columbia a congressional district for purposes of representation in the House of Representatives. Declares that the District shall not be considered a state for purposes of representation in the Senate. Applies to the District in the same manner as it applies to a state the federal law providing for the fifteenth and subsequent decennial censuses and for apportionment of Representatives in Congress. Limits the District to one Member under any reapportionment of Members. Modifies the formula regarding the number of presidential electors to subject it to the 23rd amendment to the Constitution in the case of the District.
(Sec. 3) Increases membership of the House from 435 to 437 Members. Provides for a reapportionment of Members resulting from such increase. Requires:
(1) the President to submit to Congress a revised version of the most recent statement of such apportionment reflecting that the District of Columbia is entitled to one Representative and identifying Utah as the other state entitled to one Representative; and
(2) the Clerk of the House, upon receipt of such revision, to make such identifications to the Speaker of the House.
(Sec. 4) Requires the additional Representative to which the state of Utah is entitled to be elected pursuant to a redistricting plan enacted by the state.
(Sec. 6) Repeals provisions of:
(1) the District of Columbia Delegate Act establishing the office of District of Columbia Delegate to the House of Representatives; and
(2) the District of Columbia Statehood Constitution Convention Initiative of 1979 providing for election of a Representative for the District. Makes conforming amendments to the District of Columbia Elections Code of 1955.
(Sec. 8) Sets forth procedures for expedited judicial review of any action brought to challenge the constitutionality of any provision of this Act or any amendment made by it.

The bill passed the Senate earlier today with 61 votes; just enough to avoid a potential filibuster attempt by opponents. But not before Senator John Ensign, an opponent of the measure, proposed an onerous amendment that would lift virtually all local gun control laws in DC. Senator Ensign's amendment is a 'poisoned pill' intended to stall or kill the measure before enactment by eroding its Democratic support.

The House is expected to pass its version of the bill by the end of next week. Then a Conference Committee will be charged with reconciling the House and Senate versions. Hopefully, they will find a way to artfully excise the Ensign amendment during conference.

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