Norton Applauds Leadership Decision for Prompt D.C. Voting Rights Consideration (3/27/07)
March 27, 2007
Norton Applauds Leadership Decision for Prompt D.C. Voting Rights Consideration
March 27, 2007
Washington, DC--Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), who has been in touch with Democratic leadership every day regarding the D.C. House Voting Rights Act of 2007, issued the following statement today:
“Great appreciation is due to Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, who have set top staff experts to work with us on returning H.R. 1433 to the floor, even during this hectic work week when matters always pile up because of the start of the impending recess on Friday. I particularly appreciate the deadline set by Majority Leader Hoyer to go to the floor the first week after recess, assuring time to guarantee success.
The goal that I requested of Democratic leaders, to bring the bill to the floor for a vote before the end of March, in order to avoid the spring rush of bills, has been achieved. The strong Republican opposition all expected became a mean-spirited motion to kill a principled and bipartisan voting rights bill with a motion to repeal the District’s gun safety laws. It was a foul, not the final score. Because of the priority Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Hoyer have given D.C. voting rights, the bill is essentially done. Republican procedural game playing cannot defeat a principled and bipartisan voting rights bill for 650,000 Americans. We don’t get mad - but we do get even.”