Norton Decries Denial of Vote to D.C. Residents While Supporting Iran Deal

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today issued an advance copy of her floor remarks supporting the Iran nuclear agreement and deploring the denial of a vote to District of Columbia residents on the agreement. She said that the deal's Republican opponents are mostly citing issues not under negotiation, a sign that they are unable to attack the deal itself with credible arguments. Norton said, "Here's what my constituents cite: $12,000 in federal taxes per resident, the most per capita in the U.S., but no vote on the Iran deal or anything else. With statehood, D.C. would vote and be counted, just as Uncle Sam counts on our taxes every year." Norton is expected to speak on the floor around 3:30 p.m.

Norton also said that she deeply appreciated Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, who reached out to her, as she did to other Members, regarding Norton's views on the Iran nuclear deal, even though Norton cannot vote on the House floor.

Norton's full floor remarks, as prepared for delivery, follow.

"While many Republicans have been trying to find a way not to have a vote on the Iran agreement, I have been searching for a way to represent my more than 650,000 constituents by voting on any version offered. Five nations, whose systems differ from one another in every conceivable way, and the United Nations have approved this deal, but the Republicans are torn on whether to even vote on the deal at all. Left with no credible argument against the deal, the Republicans have changed the subject, knowing that Iran is close to getting the bomb now and risking the loss of U.S. international credibility. Instead, Republicans cite side agreements. However, they have all of the information available to any nation on nuclear agreements. Or, they cite issues not under negotiation at all, like Iran's role in the Middle East. Here's what my constituents cite: $12,000 in federal taxes per resident, the most per capita in the U.S., but no vote on the Iran deal or anything else. With statehood, D.C.'s would vote and be counted, just as Uncle Sam counts our taxes every year."