March 20, 2007

"D.C. Vote: It is Never Too Late to 'Do the Right Thing'"

"I thought of Richard Holmes, a slave in the District until Lincoln freed the slaves here nine months before the Emancipation Proclamation. I thought of my great grandfather who came here in a furtive search for freedom itself, not the vote on the House floor. I thought of what a man who lived as a slave in the District, and others like him would think if his great-granddaughter becomes the first to cast the first full vote for the District of Columbia on the House floor. I hope to have the special honor of casting the vote I have sought for 16 years. I want to cast that vote for the residents of this city whom I have had the great privilege of representing and who have fought and have waited for so long. Yes, and I want to cast that vote in memory of my great-grandfather, Richard Holmes."

Excerpt from the speech of Hon. Eleanor Holmes Norton (Del.-DC) on the floor of the House of Representatives (Monday, 3/12/07)

Washington, DC (PoliticalJones.com) - The words from Washington, D.C. Delegate and life long resident Eleanor Holmes Norton is both moving and inspirational. Congresswoman Norton is one of those Strong African American Women who continue to push for fairness and equality not only for District of Columbia residents, but all Americans. Her compelling story and the stories of other District residents demonstrates how deep and far reaching the issue of full Congressional voting rights are for the District and its 500,000 plus residents. In the 206 years since Washington, D.C. lost its vote in the House of Representatives, much has changed in our county. Much is better, and much has come to light. Nevertheless, the issues of race and politics continue to run through the veins of our country, Washington (the City), and our Nation's Capitol.

This week, the House of Representatives is scheduled vote on H.R. 1433, the District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2007. This legislation, co-sponsored by Rep. Tom Davis [R-Va] has some bipartisan support, and would give the District of Columbia a right that it has not had since 1801. It would eliminate the "D.C. delegate" position, and add two extra seats to the House of Representatives, one for District of Columbia and one for Utah, which is next in line for an increase to its Congressional delegation based on the most recent census data. This would raise the number of seats in the House to 437. Both new seats would be selected by special election. Note: The Utah seat is designated to be the at-large seat and any change to the seat could not take place until the next census and reapportionment in 2012.

The bill is expected to pass in the House of Representatives this week. After that, the bill will be sent to the Senate for its approval. Not surprisingly, given recent trends since the change of control in Congress, the likelihood of passage in the Senate looks very uncertain. Even if it passes in the Senate, however, it seems unlikely to pass with a "veto proof" 60 plus votes. It is noteworthy that the White House has announced its opposition to the bill because of alleged questions about the constitutionality of "District residents" being entitled to a vote in Congress. Although slim hope remains that the bill will not be vetoed if it passes in the Senate, a veto in this Post-Katrina world would be very unfortunate for citizens of the District of Columbia and our nation for several reasons.

First, the fact that the District of Columbia, with a population comprised of more than 55% African Americans, has no voting power in the House, speaks to power of race in our country. In our community, we understand clearly that such a circumstance would not exist but for the color of our skin. When I was growing up, everyone called the District, "Chocolate City". Even suggesting such a thing in 2007 is considered racist by some, and certainly impolite in mixed company. Ironically, when folks said it "back in the day", no one seemed to mind. I guess the concept of a "Chocolate City" without full voting rights was not a threat. It could be the Powers-that-Be thought it was a cute way for "those people" to express themselves. Everyone knows that the District of Columbia, and its majority African American population, has no real control over its own destiny. As a result, the prospect of empowering a place in America formerly known as the "Chocolate City" is unthinkable to quite a few in and out of power.

Some oppose this legislation on the grounds that it supposedly is unconstitutional. The argument is that only "states" have the right to representation in Congress. Because the District of Columbia is a district, some argue, it is not entitled to either representation or a vote in either chamber of Congress. The argument apparently overlooks the Constitution's so-called District clause, that grants Congress broad authority over the District of Columbia. The argument also conveniently forgets that the Constitution is a "living" document, which has evolved over time to expand the definition of "We the People" to include many folks, including District residents, who were not considered citizens when the Constitution was ratified. Some Constitutional Scholars, including former D.C. Circuit Judge and Special Prosecutor Kenneth Star, recognize that Congress already has the authority under the District Clause to make the change by statute, which is compelling considering his generally conservative views on all things constitutional. Congress should exercise its power and enact this legislation with or without the support of the White House.

Even the need of adding another Congressional seat from the Great State of Utah shows the true political nature of this measure. Making sure to either neutralize or even up the count in the U.S. House of Representatives is pure politics. No problem there. Everything in our country is inherently political, and our country thrives and survives because of the willingness of our political leadership to at times find common ground. The trueness of what makes our democratic process work and grow is a remarkable statement about our nation’s political system. The quote by former House Speaker Tip O’Neal is never more true, “all politics is local”, and both D.C. area and Utah politicians have agreed to work together to achieve something both of them see as a just cause.

The fact that the District of Columbia, with its "Democratic leaning" voting population, will add another vote for the Democratic majority; and Utah, with its "Republican leaning" voting population, would cancel out any real or perceived advantage in the House, seems to make some very comfortable with supporting the bill. Once again, both sides find common ground for a just cause. Those who argue that the residents of D.C. should be allowed to cast their votes with either the residents of Virginia or Maryland have missed the point. When you chose to live in Washington you are choosing to live in the District, not Virginia or Maryland. The uniqueness of the District and what makes it a special place for our nation and our community cannot be overemphasized. It is a lifestyle choice for which no citizen (or group) should be penalized.

To penalize D.C. residents because of where they live and die, pay taxes, serve in the armed services and fight in the wars that keep our country free is not democracy, but unjust. Such injustice was unacceptable in 1777, and remains so in 2007.