Norton Details Majority Senate Support for D.C. Voting Rights Bill, Asks for Floor Vote (7/20/07)

Norton Details Majority Senate Support for D.C. Voting Rights Bill and Asks for a Floor Vote before Recess
July 20, 2007

Washington, DC-Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today released a letter she sent to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), asking him to schedule floor consideration of S.1257, the D.C. Voting Rights Act, as he promised in a meeting in his office with Norton and District elected officials last month. Norton wrote that the civil rights coalition, prominent Americans, and elected officials have already achieved a healthy majority for passage in the Senate and are very close to getting the necessary votes for cloture, should that prove necessary, and are especially encouraged by the number of senators who say that at the very least, they will vote for cloture. Norton added, "We believe that once the vote is announced for the floor, more Senators will indicate their support."

Norton cited activities that have sparked momentum, including a radio address by Jack Kemp broadcast to over 13 million people; staff briefings by leading experts; a great deal of editorial support; outreach to editorial boards in key target states; weekly vigils, including one in front of the Senate on Wednesdays; and many other activities in states throughout the country.

Norton said that she was mindful of the pressures facing Reid as he juggles appropriations and other bills that must be passed. She also thanked Reid for his "gratifying and indispensable" leadership in moving the bill forward, owed in no small part to his announcement that he would provide floor time. "All we need to do now is keep the momentum moving forward and get a vote in the Senate before the end of July," Norton wrote.

The full text of Norton's letter follows:

July 20, 2007

Senator Harry Reid
Majority Leader
Washington, DC

Dear Majority Leader Reid:

We are deeply grateful to you for meeting with me and District of Columbia elected officials last month regarding S.1257, the D.C. Voting Rights Act, where you said that you intended to allow a floor vote for the bill. I recognize the pressures you are under this month and your formidable task in moving appropriations and other bills that must be passed. This letter is an update for you on the tremendous progress that public officials, prominent Americans, and the many organizations that comprise the civil rights and DC Vote coalition has made in securing the support of senators, and to express our strong hope that the bill can get floor time before the August recess.

We already have a healthy majority for passage, and we are very close to getting the necessary votes for cloture should that prove necessary. We are especially encouraged by the number of senators who say that at the very least, they will vote for cloture. In addition, we believe that once the vote is announced for the floor, more senators will indicate their support.

Members of Congress, local and state elected officials, prominent Americans and the coalition organizations have been working hard, particularly with senators from key states, with very positive results and are anxious to avoid the loss of momentum that could hurt the bill. Among their numerous activities have been visits to Republicans by the House original co-sponsor, Rep. Tom Davis of Virginia, calls to Republicans from Senator Ed Brooke, a Republican and the first African American senator elected by popular vote; a radio address by Jack Kemp broadcast to over 13 million people; staff briefings by leading experts; outreach to editorial boards in key target states and a great deal of editorial support throughout the country; weekly vigils, including one in front of the Senate on Wednesdays; and many other activities in states throughout the country.

Your leadership and strong support on S.1257 have been particularly gratifying and indispensable. We believe we owe the momentum we have achieved in no small part to your announcement last month that you would provide floor time. The best chance for passage clearly appears to be this month. What supporters most need now is to move the tremendous momentum the vote has achieved for a final vote in the Senate before the August recess.

We respectfully ask for the opportunity for a vote on S.1257. I would be pleased to speak with you at your convenience and to answer any questions you may have. I look forward to our continued work together on D.C. voting rights.

Sincerely,
Eleanor Holmes Norton