Unfortunately, partisan politics and a lack of interest in the issue have prevented Congress from righting this wrong, and it is the citizens of DC who suffer. Ironically, the fact that the citizens of DC lack voting representation is a large part of the reason why their complaints have fallen on deaf ears. The citizens of DC find themselves in a paradox: they need political power in order to attain a vote in Congress, but they need a vote in Congress to have political power.

Tuesday’s hearing showcased a number of prominent and wonderful speakers. One highlight was Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA), the co-sponsor of the House bill who has been leading the fight for DC Voting Rights in the past few Congresses. Congressman Davis pointed out that if the clause in Article I of the Constitution that says the House of Representatives is to be elected by the people “of the several states” should prevent DC from having a voting Congressional seat, as opponents of the bill claim, then the Constitution also says Congress can not levy taxes on DC, citizens from DC are exempt from federal income taxes and jury duty, and the full faith and credit clause does not apply to the District. The constitution clearly states that all of those things are reserved for the “states,” but the Supreme Court has consistently held that DC can be considered a state for those purposes. If the Supreme Court considers the District a state for tax and other purposes, why not for voting?

Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), the District’s Congressional Representative, who is allowed to co-sponsor legislation and vote in committee, also gave a moving and passionate speech. She spoke of her own past, growing up in a segregated DC and fighting for civil rights in the Deep South. She was moved to tears as she spoke of the oppression African-Americans and women have faced in this country. She implored the Committee to protect civil rights and give the residents of District of Columbia the right to vote.

Jack Kemp, a former Republican Congressman, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and Vice-Presidential Candidate also gave a rousing speech in favor of the bill. He reminded the committee that Republicans have a strong history of upholding and expanding voting rights, and that Democrats have historically been opponents of civil rights extensions. He urged the Republicans on the Committee to reclaim the Republican position on civil rights and voting.

Overall, the hearing was successful and fascinating. Other speakers included Senator Orrin G. Hatch (R-UT), DC Mayor Adrian Fenty (D), and Wade Henderson, the President and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights. Viet Dinh, a Conservative legal scholar (and the architect of the USA PATRIOT Act) spoke about the Constitutionality of the bill, while Professor Jonathon Turley of the George Washington University Law School spoke for the opposition. Text of the testimonies and more information on DC Voting Rights.