CBC Delegation to Meet with Norton on DC Voting Rights as Moderate & Conservative Dems (3/6/09)

CBC Delegation to Meet with Norton on D.C. Voting Rights as Moderate and Conservative Democrats Come Forward in Support

March 9, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Barbara Lee (D-CA), chair, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) today called Congresswoman Norton to tell her that she had had an extensive conversation with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) concerning moving the D.C. House Voting Rights Act to the floor soon. Speaker Pelosi agreed to a meeting with a CBC delegation as soon as she can arrange it. The CBC is particularly concerned about the National Rifle Association's assault on a civil rights bill, and with maintaining the unity of the Democratic Caucus on civil rights issues, especially on the D.C. House Voting Rights Act, which got almost unanimous support from House Democrats last session.

Norton said she was very gratified to receive the call from Rep. Lee. The CBC has been in the leadership of the fight for equal rights for the District for decades. "The call from Barbara made my day," Norton said. "In the last couple of days, I have been tremendously encouraged by the responses we are getting from members across the Democratic Caucus. My conversations with conservative and moderate Democrats have been especially heartening. They want to be able to vote for the D.C. House Voting Rights Act just as they did last time. I now see some light at the end of the tunnel."