[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 68 (Thursday, April 26, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E861]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 1905, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HOUSE 
VOTING RIGHTS ACT OF 2007 AND PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 1906, 
              ESTIMATED TAX PAYMENT SAFE HARBOR ADJUSTMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 19, 2007

  Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of 
the District of Columbia Voting Rights Bill, and commend Delegate 
Eleanor Holmes Norton and Oversight and Government Reform Committee 
Ranking Member Tom Davis for their hard work and commitment to ensuring 
that District of Columbia residents have full representation in 
Congress.
  Eighty-two percent of Americans believe that the District should have 
voting rights in the House. It is time to end the 206 years of 
``taxation without representation'' for District of Columbia residents.
  H.R. 1905 will provide District of Columbia residents a vote in the 
U.S. House of Representatives. It will also grant a vote to the next 
State in line to get a congressional seat, which, according to the 2000 
Census, is Utah. As a result, this bill will permanently expand the 
size of the House of Representatives from 435 to 437. This bipartisan 
legislation also includes a ``non-severability clause'' providing that 
if a court determines that one section of this bill is invalid, then 
all other sections will be unenforceable.
  Ensuring that all citizens, including District of Columbia residents, 
have representation in the House is not only fair and just, but also 
critical to maintaining a strong democracy, in which all citizens' 
voices are heard. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this 
important legislation.

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