Lawmakers Take First Step Toward Granting Full Representation for DC Residents

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 12, 2007

Contact: Stacey Gates or Mary Moreno at People For the American Way

Email: [email protected]

Phone Number: 202-467-4999

Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) and Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.) last week introduced the District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2007, a bill that would give D.C.’s representative full voting power in the House of Representatives. People For the American Way President Ralph G. Neas released the following statement:

“Democracy for District residents is long overdue. Congress must no longer ignore the fact that over 500,000 Americans living in the nation’s capital do not have full representation. This bill is an important step forward and we urge members from both parties to make a principled vote for democracy.

“It is shameful that District of Columbia residents have gone so long without voting representation in Congress. Granting D.C. citizens the right to vote for President and Vice President 45 years ago was long overdue. We cannot, in good conscience, ask them to wait any longer for full voting representation in Congress. We look forward to this bill’s enactment into law this spring.”