Voting rights activists, members of the D.C. Council and D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton celebrate after this morning’s cloture vote. Photo courtesy Vincent Gray’s office.

Official statements are starting to roll in from D.C. government officials on this morning’s successful cloture vote on the D.C. Voting Rights Act in the U.S. Senate.

Council Chair Vincent Gray:

“I am elated that the D.C. House Voting Rights Act today passed a critical test with a 62-34 Senate vote to move the bill forward to full floor consideration. I am hopeful and confident we will be able to overcome the hurdles that may be put in the way in the form of unrelated amendments in the coming days when floor votes are scheduled in the Senate and in the House of Representatives.

“The taxpayers of the District of Columbia join me in thanking our Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, congressional leaders, the Shadow Delegation, advocacy groups like DC Vote, and many other organizations and individuals who have worked with the Council to help us reach this historic moment.

“I look forward to future victories as we continue to fight for budget and legislative autonomy, other forms of equality, independence and true home rule, and statehood that the residents of the District of Columbia deserve as Americans who pay federal taxes, and fight and die in the nation’s wars so that others can benefit from the democratic ideals on which this country was founded.”

Mayor Adrian Fenty:

“This vote was an encouraging first step in the passage of the DC Voting Rights Act by the U.S. Senate and I hope that the vote on final passage will follow suit. We are extremely pleased that the issue of DC voting rights is finally getting a full and fair hearing by the Congress and I look forward to the House of Representatives taking up its important companion legislation quickly to bring the District yet another step closer to full representation. I’d like to especially thank Senators Joe Lieberman and Orrin Hatch for championing this bill.”