Senate votes to give DC citizens vote in Congress

Associate Press ^ | February 26, 2009 | JIM ABRAMS

[stevie_d_64]

District of Columbia when it became the nation's capital two centuries ago would be granted under legislation the Senate passed Thursday.

Congress is "moving to right a centuries-old wrong," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid shortly before the 61-37 vote.

The House is expected to pass the measure with a strong majority next week and President Barack Obama, a co-sponsor when the bill failed to clear the Senate two years ago, has promised to sign it.

The measure is likely to face a court challenge immediately after becoming law; opponents argue that it is unconstitutional because D.C. is not a state and does not qualify for representation.

[OneWingedShark]

DC is not a State... It is DESIGNED that way for the reason that if it were in a state [or a state itself] it would put the other member-states of the Union at a disadvantage.

I want to know when my oath to protect and defend the Constitution from Domestic enemies kicks in.

[illiac]

The constitution only provides for states to have senators and representative....

[trumandogz]

[buccaneer81]

I was wrong, your’re right. POS Hatch did vote yes.

[aragorn]

They’re not even pretending to be restricted by the Constitution anymore.

That's the way I see it too. Every time I turn around there is something else. It would be funny if it weren't so incredibly serious.

[Williams]

Snowe and Collins sold you out again.

[NonValueAdded]

Wait until they demand two senators. Have a contest between Virginia and Maryland and the loser gets DC as part of their territory.

[buccaneer81]

Good for Byrd! He did it purely on constitutional grounds; he’s a big stickler for that.

[buccaneer81]

The Kenyan is meeting with the Congressional Black Racist Caucus tomorrow. Expect the Senate to introduce its bill next week.

[stevie_d_64]

Yeah, somethings wierd about that...But it doesn’t add up to 57 for some reason...

[Domandred]

Article 1 Section 2: The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States.......The Number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty Thousand, but each State shall have at Least one Representative.

Article 1 Section 3: The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State.

House and Senate are made up from States only, not territories and districts.

[Michael Barnes]

That’s what I thought. Am also under the impression that DC is setup specifically for neutrality; a common place for all state’s congresscritters to meet “equally”.

[Norman Bates]

That Utah seat could be used as a wedge and actually cost the GOP a seat in Utah not to mention the 100% guaranteed (and unsplittable) DC seat for the dems.

[Michael Barnes]

Thanks...I didn’t know if I was missing something else entirely when it came to DC.

[batter]

Check that. Hatch voted "yea" (see illiac's post).

It's pointless, but I'll call his office tomorrow anyway.

[trumandogz]

51 Stars for the 51 States

[kezzek]

I weep for my country. I won’t even recognize it by next week.

[EGPWS]

Gosh, why is there a "Washington D.C." in the first place?

Perhaps to prevent government a vote in a republic for the people?

[buccaneer81]

That Utah seat could be used as a wedge and actually cost the GOP a seat in Utah

Absolutely right. The mayor of Salt Lake City is a liberal 'Rat who would probably win that congressional district if he ran.

[Jacquerie]

No question about it. And, like each member of Scotus, each and every Senator swore to support, protect and defend the Constitution.

Tipping point. It is over.