April 23, 2007

The House passed legislation April 19, giving residents of the nation’s capital a full voting representative in Congress.

The bill, passed by a vote of 241 to 177. For the first time in history, the bill would give full voting rights to the District of Columbia’s non-voting delegate, Eleanor Holmes Norton. It would also add a seat in Utah to increase the size of the chamber to 437 members.

The bill, a major victory for DC Mayor Adrian Fenty, must still pass the Senate where it faces an uncertain future. The White House has threatened to veto the measure.

Currently, Washington and four territories – Puerto Rico, the U.S.Virgin Islands, Guam and American Samoa – have Congressional delegates who can vote in committees but not on final approval of legislation during House floor debates.