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Seeking A Vote On Vote For D.C. |
Article: Seeking A Vote On Vote For D.C.
By Mary Beth Sheridan, The Washington Post, Friday, February 16, 2007; B01
Summary: Hundreds of local residents and politicians wearing "Let DC Vote" buttons descended on Congress yesterday to urge legislators to give the District a full seat in the House of Representatives. The crowd of amateur lobbyists gathered in an ornate hall in the Cannon House Office Building to push a long-sought bill to give the District voting rights. Organizers said that nearly 400 people turned out -- including Mayor Adrian Fenty, councilmembers, and the bill's sponsors, nonvoting Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) and Congressman Tom Davis (R-Va.). "We have one simple question: When is the vote going to be on H.R. 328?" demanded Fenty. The event also drew regular folks, including a 22-year-old senior at UDC. Three years ago, the student moved to Washington from Trinidad and Tobago and discovered the District lacked full representation. As political science major, the student hoped to buttonhole Members or their legislative directors. After visiting five congressional offices -- and not speaking with any Members -- the student was frustrated. "It's like a salesperson. Selling democracy." And so few seemed to be buying. The highlight of the advocacy blitz was a meeting that Fenty and Norton scheduled with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who hopes to have a floor vote "as soon as possible" on the measure. Norton was busy on two fronts: She also raised the issue with President Bush during a meeting he had with the Congressional Black Caucus. Bush made no commitments.
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