We might see something quite interesting today in the Senate. The Democratic leadership is hoping to bring a bill to the floor that would grant Congressional representation to residents of Washington, DC.
That in itself isn’t unusual. Washington, DC usually spend a good deal of time and money every couple of years trying to convince the rest of America that it ought to become a state. That usually results in the rest of America giving DC a once-over and deciding that it’s simply not ready for the big-leagues yet.
This time, though, it’s different. This time the Senate is going to try to jump right over the Constitution and do it all by themselves. Of course, the DC Voting advocates are falling all over themselves trying to convince people that this is The Most Serious Civil Rights Issue Since Segregation. That’d be Eleanor Holmes Norton, the most useless person in the House of Representatives (and I’m even including the janitors here) whipping that hyperbole into a panicky froth. You can see that quote after the jump.
Norton sent an open letter to senators recalling the dramatic filibusters of the 1960s, which “sought to deny equal rights to African Americans.” She added that stymieing a bill that would give House representation to the majority-black city would have a similar effect.
Yeah, okay.
The problem with this bill is that it is plainly unconstitutional. The article says that scholars are “divided” on the matter but, folks, let me tell you, if you can read English, there’s no ambiguity. Here’s what the Constitution has to say about Representatives to Congress.
Section 2:
Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union…
Section 3:
The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State…
Washington, DC isn’t a state so it doesn’t get Representatives or Senators. Period. End of argument. There’s no reasonable division to have on the matter.
There are a couple of other options I see to DC becoming a state (since it’s not proven in any way that it deserves to become one). First, DC can convince enough Americans that its residents deserve a vote so that we amend the Constitution. Alternately, DC can convince the people of Maryland to let it join our state. In no case, though, does Congress have the power to simply grant Washington, DC a voting Representative nor Senator.
I understand that those in favor of this bill have been trying to buy off Republicans by giving Utah (a largely Republican state) an extra Representative to balance the inevitable Democrat who will be elected should DC get its way. That won’t fly, folks. You can’t simply bribe your way around the Constitution and there are plenty of folks out there who remember that the law really is the law, no matter how much crocodile-tearing Adrian Fenty and Eleanor Holmes-Norton do about it.
I sincerely hope the Republicans stand fast. The Democrats are unanimous so far in their desire to violate the Constitution for an additional House seat. And what of the residents of DC? Well, that’s easy. Let them persuade America of their plight according to the law of the land. And if that doesn’t work…well…no one’s making them live there and there are plenty of houses in other states.
If DC wo0uld vote Republican, you would come up with the opposite point of view. There is nothing inherently unconstitutional about giving DC state status. More right wing whining!
Jonas, your comment would be better if you actually read what I said. I’ll make it simple for you. It is unconstitutional to give DC any voting representatives in Congress simply with a Congressional vote. Period.