Bipartisan Group Asks House to Set Aside Politics, Give D.C. Vote

[Freddie Stubbs]

By Spencer S. Hsu
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, May 4, 2005; Page B04

Bipartisan backers of legislation to grant the District a vote in Congress yesterday urged House leaders not to allow political divisions to thwart efforts to give representation to 550,000 U.S. citizens in the nation's capital.

Rep. Thomas M. Davis III (R-Va.) introduced the D.C. Fairness in Representation Act at a news conference and said he hoped to have lawmakers vote on it by December.

"It's fair. It's constitutional. . . . Most of all, it is just the right thing to do," said Davis, who chairs a House committee that oversees the District. "Justice should not have to wait, especially not for politics."

Davis was flanked by District Mayor Anthony A. Williams (D), council Chairman Linda W. Cropp (D), 1996 vice presidential nominee Jack Kemp (R) and former House member Susan Molinari (R-N.Y.), all supporters of the bill.

more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/03/AR2005050301159.html