[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 1100]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




IN SUPPORT OF H. RES. 44, TO RESTORE VOTING RIGHTS TO THE DELEGATES AND 
    RESIDENT COMMISSIONER DURING COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE PROCEEDINGS

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO

                                of guam

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 22, 2015

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House 
Resolution 44, offered by my good friend and colleague, Democratic Whip 
Steny Hoyer of Maryland, to restore the voting rights for the Delegates 
and Resident Commissioner during Committee of the Whole proceedings.
  The ability to cast a vote is the most basic of rights in our 
representative democracy. In the people's House, votes cast by members 
of Congress make us accountable to our constituents and allow them to 
understand where we stand on important issues. The rules that have been 
adopted by the 114th Congress once again deny voting rights for members 
from the territories and the District of Columbia, and continue to make 
this body less transparent and less responsive to the more than four 
million Americans who live in our districts.
  Under the resolution, extending voting rights to the Delegates and 
the Resident Commissioner during Committee of the Whole proceedings 
would be wholly symbolic--our votes cannot change the outcome of 
legislation or amendments considered on the floor of this House. 
However these votes allow us to ensure that the needs of our 
constituents are addressed in legislation considered by this body.
  Further, many of our nation's men and women in uniform are residents 
of the territories and the District of Columbia. These dedicated 
servicemembers sacrifice much for our country, and many have paid the 
ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. In fact, the per capita 
death rate for servicemembers from the territories is higher than most 
states. Unfortunately the majority has decided that our constituents 
will be less represented in this House despite the sacrifices that 
servicemembers from our districts make to defend the basic rights and 
freedoms enjoyed by all Americans. Additionally beyond high levels of 
military service, residents from the territories and the District of 
Columbia contribute to and serve our nation in a wide range of areas. 
The inability to vote in the Committee of the Whole is unfortunate, but 
I appreciate that this resolution seeks to remedy this matter.
  Mr. Speaker, giving the Delegates and Resident Commissioner the 
ability to vote during Committee of the Whole proceedings will allow 
our voices to be heard during legislation considered by the full House. 
It will give us parity with other members and strengthen the long-
cherished values of this body. I urge my colleagues to adopt this 
resolution.

                          ____________________