Bipartisan House Votes to Give District Residents Voting Representation

“Today’s bipartisan House passage of a bill to give voting representation to D.C. residents is long overdue. Although we must still gain Senate passage and overcome White House ambivalence, we are proud of the steps taken today.

The DC Voting Rights Act (H.R. 1905) is one of the civil rights community’s highest priorities. We have long known the importance of the right to vote and its role in American democracy.

There is profound irony in the fact that our nation is fighting to bring democracy to Baghdad while denying that important right at home, in our nation’s capital, where a majority of residents are African-American.

This country continues to refine and align itself with our founders democratic principles and we believe today’s action in the House is another positive step in that direction. We are hopeful that the Senate and White House will not stand in the way of voting rights for D.C. residents.”

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The Leadership Conference on Civil Rights (LCCR) is the nation’s oldest, largest, and most diverse civil and human rights coalition. For more information on LCCR and its nearly 200 member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.