D.C. Vote Bill Sent To House Floor

[onehandle]

A bill granting the District its first full-fledged seat in the House of Representatives passed the Judiciary Committee yesterday, clearing the final hurdle before a vote by the entire House, expected next week.

The House Democratic leadership has vowed to pass the legislation and send it to the Senate, where it faces an uphill battle. The House floor vote will mark the first time since 1993 that the chamber has considered a House seat for the District, and proponents hope that a victory there would create a wave of support.

"The key thing here is we're gaining great momentum, and we're going to build on it," Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D) declared at yesterday's hearing.

The Judiciary Committee voted 21 to 13, largely along party lines, to approve the legislation. But in a dramatic move, a leading conservative Republican, Mike Pence (Ind.), who had been undecided, joined Democrats in voting yes.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/15/AR2007031501256.html

This is a 90% Democratic city. It would mean another Democratic seat, every election.

[demnan]

1. Finally!

The city that has "Taxation without Representation" on its license plates will finally get some representation.

[Pab Sungenis]

2. Yes, but there's a major downside.

It would also grant another seat to already-over-represented Utah.

Worse, that would also give Utah an additional electoral vote, while DC's electoral votes are Constitutionally capped at 3.

This is a bad idea.