Senators Lieberman and Hatch and Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton and Mayor Adrian Fenty speak to the press after the Senate passage of the DC Voting Rights Bill on Thursday. Photo courtesy lieberman.senate.gov.

Below are some of the official statements we’ve received from D.C. and federal government leaders reacting to yesterday’s Senate passage of S.160, the D.C. House Voting Rights Act.

D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty:

“Today’s Senate vote is a historic breakthrough in the District of Columbia’s 200-year-old fight for full voting rights. On behalf of District residents across the city, I wish to express thanks to the U. S. Senate, particularly Senators Joseph Lieberman, Harry Reid and Orrin Hatch for their tremendous support and leadership. Since the bill is not final, my Administration will continue to work with both the Senate and House leadership to ensure the bill reflects the priorities of District residents and is passed in final form as swiftly as humanly possible.”

D.C. Council Chair Vincent Gray:

“I am pleased the Senate has given the residents of the District of Columbia another victory today in passing the D.C. House Voting Rights Act by a vote of 61 to 37. However, I am disappointed that the bill was passed with a dangerous amendment to repeal most of the city’s gun laws.

“After the Heller Supreme Court case, the Council in collaboration with the Executive immediately crafted a comprehensive gun law that met the requirements of the court decision while attempting to preserve the safety and well being of our residents. Unfortunately, our efforts are facing a setback—albeit—hopefully, a temporary one.

“We are confident and hopeful, that as the vote bill makes its way through House and conference committee consideration, this unrelated and unnecessary amendment will be dropped. Not only in the name of protecting D.C. citizens, but also in the spirit of home rule that dictates representatives, duly elected by voters of the District of Columbia, have the democratic right to make laws in the best interest of the residents they serve, just like lawmakers in every other American jurisdiction.

“For now, we are delighted that the District of Columbia is one step closer to ending taxation without representation!”