[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 166 (Wednesday, December 15, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2143]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ENACTMENT OF NATIONAL POPULAR VOTE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. CHELLIE PINGREE

                                of maine

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 15, 2010

  Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and 
congratulate the District of Columbia for its recent enactment of the 
National Popular Vote bill, which would guarantee the Presidency to the 
candidate who receives the most popular votes in all 50 states and the 
District.
  Just a few weeks ago, Mayor Fenty signed this important legislation, 
which was passed by unanimous consent by the D.C. Council. National 
Popular Vote is now law in 7 jurisdictions, and has been passed by 30 
legislative chambers in 21 states.
  The shortcomings of the current system stem from the winner-take-all 
rule. Presidential candidates have no reason to pay attention to the 
concerns of voters in states where they are comfortably ahead or 
hopelessly behind. In 2008, candidates concentrated over two-thirds of 
their campaign visits and ad money in just six closely divided 
``battleground'' states. A total of 98 percent of their resources went 
to just 15 states. Voters in two thirds of the states are essentially 
just spectators to presidential elections.
  Under the National Popular Vote, all the electoral votes from the 
enacting states would be awarded to the presidential candidate who 
receives the most popular votes in all 50 states and DC. The bill 
assures that every vote will matter in every state in every 
Presidential election.
  I look forward to more states, all across the country passing this 
important piece of legislation.

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