Following more than a year of more or less refusing to speak up in favor of passing the D.C. House Voting Rights Act, President Barack Obama has finally come out in favor of the legislation. In an official statement today marking the celebration of Emancipation Day in the District, Obama urged Congress “to finally pass legislation that provides D.C. residents with voting representation and to take steps to improve the Home Rule Charter.”

This is a pretty big deal for voting rights advocates, who have been reduced over the last year to whining about the president’s choice of license plates. Obama was in favor of D.C. getting representation, we were reassured over and over, but he couldn’t be bothered to do anything about it. Now, just days before House leaders are set to bring the long-stalled bill back to the floor, the president is urging its passage.

It’s a little late, but we’ll take it, Mr. President. Thank you for your support!

Full statement below:

On this occasion, we remember the day in 1862 when President Lincoln freed the enslaved people of Washington, D.C. – nine months before he issued the Emancipation Proclamation. I am proud that an original copy of that document now hangs in the Oval Office, and we remain forever grateful as a nation for the struggles and sacrifices of those Americans who made that emancipation possible.

Americans from all walks of life are gathering in Washington today to remind members of Congress that although D.C. residents pay federal taxes and serve honorably in our armed services, they do not have a vote in Congress or full autonomy over local issues. And so I urge Congress to finally pass legislation that provides D.C. residents with voting representation and to take steps to improve the Home Rule Charter.