One More Time: D.C. Voting Rights Bill Is Introduced

Corey Boles reports on Congress. One of the first bills introduced in the 111th Congress would give residents of Washington, D.C., a voting member in the House while adding a fourth House seat for Utah. The deal would add a reliably Democratic seat in the District and a safe Republican one in Utah, bringing the total number of House seats to 437 – the first increase in 96 years. The capital city has long fought for voting rights in Congress. Indeed, a lot of D.C. license plates carry the slogan “Taxation Without Representation.” The legislation easily passed the House last year but was narrowly defeated in the Senate. This time could be different since Democrats picked up more Senate seats in November. Joe Lieberman , a Connecticut independent who caucuses with the Democrats, and Utah Republican Orrin Hatch , introduced the Senate bill, while District of Columbia Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton introduced the bill in the House. (link)