Why doesn't the District of Columbia have "lawmakers" as defined on this website? I ask all the "lawmakers" and candidates if they support the bill that just barely missed being passed in this session to permit DC's delegate to vote in the House.
Asked by: STS from Washington, DC
Answer from: U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD)
I have always been for voting rights for the DC delegate. As a matter of fact, if it were up to me, there would be the appropriate numbers of members of the House and two Senators. There are states that are smaller than the District and have that kind of representation. A lot of excuses have been made for why we can’t do it or should not do it. Some of them based on the Constitution. Others, I think based on the fear that if we were to have, say, two democratic Senators and a democratic House member, they would be in fact Democrats, as opposed to Republicans. And a lot of people, particularly Republicans, are concerned about that. Um. I just think it’s the right thing to do. I think you ask people to pay taxes, obey the laws and do all of the things they’re supposed to do, but yet they still don’t have full voting rights. I just have a major problem with that and I think it goes against this thing we call Democracy.
Answered on May 21st, 2008
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Non-Residential Federal District
Posted by Perplexed on March 20th, 2008 at 2:55 PM
I always thought that the nations capitol (where it is, or elsewhere) should be a non-residential federal district. With no residents, representation would not be an issue. However, that does leave the issue of a state (Maryland) inheriting the rest of the DC. Hmmm.
As a former DC resident
Posted by elvin on January 28th, 2008 at 2:32 PM
As a former DC resident I feel comfortable talking about this issue.
First off, I agree that the District should have representation in Congress. That is a no brainer.
That being said, I think that those living in the District should focus their efforts more squarely on improving their Capital City from the ground up. DC has one of the most exciting mayor's in the country right now and he is working to make significant changes.
The citizens of DC are capable of coming together to improve this tired city.
Improving DC's schools is in my mind, unequivocally more important than earning a singular vote in the house.