Reid Assures Norton on D.C. Voting Rights Bill (7/25/07)

Washington, DC- Following discussions this morning with the office of Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) on timing for the D.C. Voting Rights Act, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) attended a noonvote coalition rally in an upbeat mood today in the Senate to encourage supporters "to keep the huge momentum in favor of the bill strong." Norton said that although she was disappointed that the D.C.-Utah bill was not on the list of bills scheduled before the August recess, she remains very encouraged and optimistic following discussions with Leader Reid's office this morning She said that the delay will not harm the bill because of the unprecedented momentum S. 1257 has garnered here and around the country, and because of Leader Reid's strong commitment. "Harry Reid has long supported our rights and he's a man of his word. His job is to find room amidst a crowded backlog of bills that must pass and our job is to keep pushing for floor time," Norton said. Advocates have achieved such a healthy majority for passage in the Senate and already may have the necessary votes to head off a filibuster, should that prove necessary. The bill is on "a determined path to passage," Norton said. "I am delighted that Harry Reid's continued strong commitment is a part of that determination."

Norton said that gaps in Senate scheduling could occur next week that might still make consideration possible. However, she said, she was no more concerned that this delay would harm the bill's strong momentum than she was about the failed attempt by House Republicans to defeat the voting rights bill by forcing a vote on the city's gun laws. That was an attempt to kill the bill, not a calendar delay. Despite the Republican procedural maneuver, the House bill went forward to be approved by a vote of 241- 177 in April, followed by 9 - 1 committee passage in the Senate in June.

"The civil rights coalition, prominent Americans, and elected officials, including the entire Utah Senate delegation, and according to national polls, the American people themselves, have given our bill the momentum it needs for passage. If we do not get to the Senate floor next week, we will use the August recess to make a September floor vote all but inevitable," Norton said.