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Norton Says Fight for Equal Citizenship Rights for D.C. Residents Has Only Begun After Republican Majority Denies Her Motion to Restore D.C. Delegate Vote

January 3, 2017

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today forced the first legislative roll-call vote of the 115th Congress on her motion to restore the vote of the District of Columbia delegate on the House floor in the Committee of the Whole, upheld as constitutional by two federal courts. The vote occurred along party lines—with Democrats unanimously supporting D.C. voting rights and Republicans unanimously opposing D.C. voting rights. Norton's motion preempted opening debate and interrupted opening day business.

"I am grateful to House Democrats for again supporting my motion to allow the D.C. delegate to vote," Norton said. "I particularly want to thank House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) for writing House Rules Committee Chairman Pete Sessions (R-TX) urging that the House restore the vote of the delegates in the Committee of the Whole and for being one of the most vocal and forceful leaders in the fight for D.C. voting rights."

Norton held a press conference this morning with D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and D.C. Office of Veterans Affairs Director Ely S. Ross calling on Congress to restore the vote of the D.C. delegate vote on the House floor in the Committee of the Whole. The Committee of the Whole vote would allow the delegate representing the District to vote on amendments on the House floor. The House rules have permitted Norton to vote in the Committee of the Whole in three Congresses: the 103rd, 110th, and 111th.