S. 1257 would provide the District of Columbia a voting seat and the State of Utah an additional seat in the House of Representatives.
Detailed Summary
District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2007 - (Sec. 2) Considers the District of Columbia a congressional district for purposes of representation in the House of Representatives.
Declares that the District shall not be considered a state for purposes of representation in the Senate.
Applies to the District in the same manner as it applies to a state the federal law providing for the fifteenth and subsequent decennial censuses and for apportionment of Representatives in Congress. Limits the District to one Member under any reapportionment of Members.
Modifies the formula regarding the number of presidential electors to subject it to the 23rd amendment to the Constitution in the case of the District.
(Sec. 3) Increases membership of the House from 435 to 437 Members.
Provides for a reapportionment of Members resulting from such increase.
Requires the: (1) President to submit to Congress a revised version of the most recent statement of such apportionment identifying Utah as the state entitled to one additional Representative; and (2) Clerk of the House, upon receipt of such revision, to identify such state to the Speaker of the House.
(Sec. 5) Repeals provisions of: (1) the District of Columbia Delegate Act establishing the office of District of Columbia Delegate to the House of Representatives; and (2) the District of Columbia Statehood Constitution Convention Initiative of 1979 providing for election of a Representative for the District.
Makes conforming amendments to the District of Columbia Elections Code of 1955.
(Sec. 7) Sets forth procedures for expedited judicial review of any action brought to challenge the constitutionality of any provision of this Act or any amendment made by it.
Status of the Legislation
Latest Major Action: 9/18/2007: Senate floor actions. Status: Cloture on the motion to proceed to consideration of the measure not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 57 - 42. Record Vote Number: 339.
Points in Favor
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Points Against
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Visitor Comments
KYJurisDoctor
July 30, 2007, 12:32pm (report abuse)If it passes constitutional muster, which it CANNOT without a constitutional amendment, then fine. Having said that, let me say that it violates all civilized notions of representative government to deny a group of people the right to elect their representatives.
http://OsiSpeaks.com or http://OsiSpeaks.org
Repeal 16-17
December 21, 2007, 9:46pm (report abuse)This bill, if it became law, would clearly be Unconstitutional (see Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution). So enacting this bill into a law would be a wasted effort. If D.C. is to get voting representation in either House of the Congress, a Constitutional amendment, statehood, or retrocession must occur.