February 15, 2007
Residents Lobby Congress for Voting Rights
Though the District continued its slow crawl back to normalcy after Tuesday night's ice storm, hundreds of District residents and supporters fanned out in Congress to lobby for legislation that would grant the city a voting seat in the House of Representatives. Part of a lobby day sponsored by D.C. Vote, the almost 400 residents divided up into 50 teams and aimed to visit every member of the House, bringing with them a simple message -- we want a vote.
Gathering in the Caucus Room of the Cannon House Office Building early this morning, voting rights activists and supporters -- including bus-loads of senior citizens brought in from Wards 7 and 8 and students from area schools and universities -- listened to speeches by city leaders, only to be sent off into the halls of Congress wearing buttons proclaiming "Let D.C. Vote," holding cards with basic talking points and ready to tell anyone who would listen why this wasn't a matter that could wait any longer. D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty and Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.) called the legislation -- currently before the House Judiciary Committee -- a legal and moral imperative, while D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton called upon the memory of Army Specialist Darryl Dent, the only a District resident killed in Iraq, to rally residents. Few worried about a recent Congressional Research Service report that called the legislation unconstitutional, assured by Davis and others that legal experts had reviewed and green-lighted the legislation.
While the majority of participants met with staffers, Fenty spoke directly to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Ca.), who has expressed support for the legislation. And though Fenty insisted that the measure move forward, Pelosi didn't hint as to when it would come to a vote on the House floor. Should it not face a vote in the coming months, Fenty has promised a march on the U.S. Capitol to coincide with the District's Emancipation Day, April 16.
And though numerous lobbyists and visitors wandered the halls as they always do, the District's resident-lobbyists made their impact felt. As the event came to an end, a man expressed his surprise at the number of voting rights proponents that were to be found. "These D.C. people are everywhere," he told a friend.
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"including bus-loads of senior citizens brought in from Wards 7 and 8 and students from area schools and universities"
I'm not sure which group's participation I discount more. They're both groups with too much time on their hands and a willingness to do just about anything for free food.
I don't know why Norton highlighted Darryl Dent, but he is not the only District resident killed in Iraq. The others are Gregory E. MacDonald and Kevin M. Shea (I'd link, but the commenting system refuses my comment when I do).
Don't worry, Reid, there were plenty of us there who aren't students or seniors -- though you'd probably find some reason for thinking us worthless as well.
I lead a team of about 5 people on the Hill yesterday and we had about a half dozen meetings with Congressional staff from both parties. It was a good showing of support from the citizens of the District and definately made a difference in my opinion.
The experience was very positive as we were able to sit down and educate the key staffer in each office about the bill. Most of the offices were familiar with the legislation, but did not know how their bosses were going to come down.
Every office we visited seemed at least open to supporting it, not once did we hear "no way" (but I think a few other groups did). Of course, these staffers can't speak for their bosses who haven't taken a position, but it was encouraging.
I give a lot of credit to DC Vote for organizing the event. The devil is in the details when you put together a lobby day, and they did a great job.
Those mass "walk arounds" are totally worthless. Our office is visited by about 3 of these univited groups every day. Usually, we let them speak their peace with an intern and usher them out, trust me, the Congressmen never even knows they were in the office. Its a total waste of time. Of course, the same could be said for the whole DC voting rights bill which is clearly unconstitutional and would be shot down by the Supreme Court if it ever passed.
"trust me, the Congressmen never even knows they were in the office."
Glad to know they're listening to the citizens. And then politicians wonder why they're considered such pieces of shit...
Well you're listening to some low level staffer who thinks he's god. They all think theyre high and mighty because they work for the dude who begged for cash the most in their district. Kudos!
Plus the voting rights bill isn't "clearly unconstitutional" as it fails to follow the 14th amendment. And if you think it's a cut and dry debate you're an idiot. Then again, you do work on the Hill for an idiot...