Common Cause applauds Senate vote on DC voting rights

Common Cause applauds the U.S. Senate for its historic vote in support of the DC House Voting Rights Act and urges the Senate to act quickly to pass this bill to ensure that the citizens of the District of Columbia have voting representation in Congress.

“The Senate has passed a critical test of its commitment to the democratic rights of all Americans,” said Bob Edgar, president of Common Cause, “Now Senators must vote against potential efforts to undermine this important voting rights legislation and proceed quickly to final passage of the bill.”

The citizens of the District of Columbia, like all other Americans, deserve to be represented in Congress. DC residents pay federal income taxes, serve on juries, and die in wars to defend American democracy. DC citizens are currently serving in the armed forces in Iraq, fighting for new democratic rights for Iraqis that they do not enjoy themselves.

The House is expected to pass similar legislation in the near future and President Obama has said he will sign the DC House Voting Rights Act when it comes to his desk.

Common Cause is a key leader in a large coalition of voting and civil rights groups actively working for passage of the legislation.