Dear ******:
Thank you for contacting me regarding your opposition to voting rights for residents of the District of Columbia . It was a pleasure to hear from you.
As you know, this is an emotionally charged issue with strong proponents on either side. I have studied the matter closely, and I support giving the District of Columbia a vote in the "People's House." I believe this legislation is a constitutional remedy to a historic wrong. While many have focused on the political consequences of such a move, the only question for a Member of Congress on such matters is this: what does justice demand and what does the Constitution of the United States permit Congress to do to remedy this wrong?
When the District of Columbia opened for business in 1801, only a few thousand residents lived within her boundaries. Among the Founders, only Alexander Hamilton would foresee the bustling metropolis that Washington , D.C. would become, and therefore advocated voting representation for the citizens of the District. Given the fealty of our Founding Fathers to representative democracy, it is inconceivable to me that that they would deny representation to so great a throng of Americans.
Regarding the Constitution, I am not alone in my view that Congress has the power under the Constitution to remedy this wrong. Judge Kenneth Starr, former independent counsel and U.S. Solicitor General, and many others have confirmed the constitutionality of this legislation.
Opponents of the D.C. House Voting Rights Act understandably cite the plain language of Article I of the Constitution that the House of Representatives be comprised of representatives elected by " the people of the several states." If this were the only reference to the powers associated with the federal city, it would be most persuasive, but it is not. Article I, Section 8, Clause 17 provides, " The Congress shall have power...to exercise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever over the District of Columbia ."
In addition, some have asserted that this legislation would change the District of Columbia into a state that would require representation in the Senate. However, the Senate, from the inception of our nation, was an extension of the states rather than a direct extension of the people. The Senate was and remains the expression of the principle of federalism in the national legislature and should ever be so. If the people of the District of Columbia would like two seats in the Unites States Senate, they will have to become a state through separate legislation.
The O ld B ook tells us what is required : " do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with your God. " I believe that justice demands we right this historic wrong. All of the American people should have representation in the P eople's H ouse. I believe that kindness demands that we do the right thing for all Americans regardless of race or political creed, and I believe humility demands that we do so in a manner consistent with our constitution, laws and traditions. The D.C. House Voting Rights Act meets this test and I am honored to have the opportunity to continue to play some small role in leading our constitutional republic ever closer to a more perfect U nion .
Again, thank you for contacting me. I am sorry to hear that we disagree on this matter, and hope we will be able find other issues on which we agree. It is an honor to serve in the United States House of Representatives and have the benefit of your advice. If you would like more information on this or any other issue, please visit my website at http://mikepence.house.gov.
Warmest regards,
Mike Pence
Member of Congress
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