Official Bill Info

• Latest Action: Mar 02, 2009 Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 8.

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• Committee Assignment: House Judiciary

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  This bill has been assigned to the House Judiciary committee.
• Committee Assignment: House Judiciary - Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties

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  This bill has been assigned to the House Judiciary - Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties committee.

Bill Statistics on OpenCongress

Contribution Data

OpenCongress Bill Summary

• This bill seeks to make the District of Columbia a congressional district for purposes of representation in the House of Representatives of the 112th Congress and in each succeeding cycle. It states that with regards to appointing members to the House, D.C. would behave as a state and that the membership of the house would thus increase from 435 to 437 members. It also calls for expedited judicial review in the event that the act’s constitutionality is called into question. This bill is similar to the Senate’s version of the District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2009, although the latter has a much broader scope. (Click here to see the differences.)

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  Here's a summary from OpenCongress.org: This bill seeks to make the District of Columbia a congressional district for purposes of representation in the House of Representatives of the 112th Congress and in each succeeding cycle. It states that with regards to appointing members to the House, D.C. would behave as a state and that the membership of the house would thus increase from 435 to 437 members. It also calls for expedited judicial review in the event that the act’s constitutionality is called into question. This bill is similar to the Senate’s version of the District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2009, although the latter has a much broader scope. (Click here to see the differences.)

Supporting Organizations

• Leadership Conference on Civil Rights

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• American Bar Association

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• League of Women Voters

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• National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

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• Civil Rights Coalition

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• American Ethical Union

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• DC Vote

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• National Association of Social Workers

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• Americans for Democratic Action

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• Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now

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• Center for Responsible Lending

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• Children's Defense Fund

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• AFL-CIO

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• National Urban League

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Opposing Organizations

• DC Statehood Green Party

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• Eagle Forum

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Most-commented sections of the bill text

Highest Rated User Comments

• On April 28, 2009, by ChrisDuggan - I live and work in the District of Columbia and am in full support of this. Another option would be to stop requiring DC residents to pay Federal taxes. Taxation without representation is un-American.

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  As noted by ChrisDuggan, a user on OpenCongress.org, on April 28, 2009, "I live and work in the District of Columbia and am in full support of this. Another option would be to stop requiring DC residents to pay Federal taxes. Taxation without representation is un-American. "
• On May 02, 2009, by wwasher - The southern half of D.C. was returned to the state of Virgina. Do the same with the northern half, except for a Federal Enclave, and return it to Maryland. Then this issue would go away.

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  As noted by wwasher, a user on OpenCongress.org, on May 02, 2009, "The southern half of D.C. was returned to the state of Virgina. Do the same with the northern half, except for a Federal Enclave, and return it to Maryland. Then this issue would go away."
• On July 17, 2009, by jeremy_neel - Just to clarify, I do realize that this law is unconstitutional and an Amendment is required in lieu of cession to Maryland.

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  As noted by jeremy_neel, a user on OpenCongress.org, on July 17, 2009, "Just to clarify, I do realize that this law is unconstitutional and an Amendment is required in lieu of cession to Maryland."

Highly Rated Blog Articles

• H.R.157: Health Care Safety Net Enhancement Act of 2011 - U.S. ... - January 04, 2011 by opencongress.org - Or, if you know of a news article about this bill to display here, email us the web address of this page and the web address of your suggested news article: Our editorial team will post relevant links as quickly as possible. ... Two proposals (H.R. 157/S.

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  As noted by opencongress.org on January 04, 2011, "Or, if you know of a news article about this bill to display here, email us the web address of this page and the web address of your suggested news article: Our editorial team will post relevant links as quickly as possible. ... Two proposals (H.R. 157/S. " (http://www.opencongress.org/bill/112-h157/show)
• Government Policy: Congressional Redistricting: The ... - January 03, 2011 by Government Policy - This report discusses the constitutionality of legislation, such as the District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2009, H.R. 157 (111th Congress), that would create an at-large congressional district. While it is not without doubt ...

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  As noted by Government Policy on January 03, 2011, "This report discusses the constitutionality of legislation, such as the District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2009, H.R. 157 (111th Congress), that would create an at-large congressional district. While it is not without doubt ..." (http://government-policy.blogspot.com/2011/01/congressional-redistricting.html)
• Penny Hill Press » Blog Archive » Congressional Redistricting: The ... - January 03, 2011 by Penny Hill Press - H.R. 157, among other provisions, would expand the U.S. House of Representatives by two members to a total of 437 members. The first of these two new seats would be allocated to create a voting member representing the District of ...

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  As noted by Penny Hill Press on January 03, 2011, "H.R. 157, among other provisions, would expand the U.S. House of Representatives by two members to a total of 437 members. The first of these two new seats would be allocated to create a voting member representing the District of ..." (http://www2.pennyhill.com/?p=13997)

Highly Rated News Articles