DC Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton hosted a press conference today on Capitol Hill in defense of her city. Speaking out against several policy riders that have been passed or threatened by conservatives in Congress, Delegate Norton, DC Mayor Vincent Gray, DC Vote, and members of the civil rights community voiced their support for autonomy and the right to self-government for the people of the District of Columbia.

Michael Keegan, president of People For the American Way, issued the following statement:

“The extreme social policies that threaten Washington, DC are yet another example of the hypocrisy of the GOP leadership. For a party that prides itself on small government, local control and fairness to taxpayers, today’s Republican Party seems strangely comfortable making an exception for our nation’s capital. Instead of focusing on finding solutions to America’s budget problems, Republicans instead spend their time figuring out how to micro-manage the lives of DC residents – from our classrooms to our safety to our health – all while happily accepting our tax dollars. For all the rhetoric about liberty and references to our Founding Fathers, it’s time for Washingtonians to have a vote that counts. We hope that the Senate and President Obama will join us and say that enough is enough – the people of DC deserve a voice. Our democracy demands nothing less.”

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