Latest news with #LocalResidentVotingRightsAmendmentAct
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Republicans advance measure to ban noncitizens from voting in local DC elections
WASHINGTON — The House advanced a bill to ban noncitizens from voting in local elections in Washington, D.C., marking the latest step from Republicans to crack down on city policies they view as too liberal. Lawmakers voted 268-148 largely along party lines to advance the measure, sending the bill over to the Republican-led Senate for consideration. The bill managed to garner some bipartisan support after 56 Democrats voted in favor. However, the legislation's future is uncertain as it would require seven Democrats to buck party leadership and support the proposal. 'The right to vote is a defining privilege of American citizenship,' House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., said in a speech on the House floor. 'Diluting that right by extending it to noncitizens — whether here legally or illegally — undermines the voice of D.C. residents.' The bill would overturn the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act, a bill passed by the D.C. Council in 2022 that permits undocumented residents living in Washington to vote in local elections. City lawmakers have defended the measure by pointing to a 'long history of the U.S. allowing noncitizens to vote in local (or) state' elections. Lawmakers also note many of the undocumented residents pay local taxes, support businesses, and attend district schools — arguing that should qualify them to have a say in local elections. However, Republicans have argued that allowing noncitizens to vote in local elections sets a dangerous precedent that could negatively harm local governments. 'Some may wrongly dismiss these as local elections. The reality is local elections are a vital part of our democratic process and have a significant impact on communities,' Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, who led the bill in the House, said in a speech. 'Local elections determine matters such as taxation, the criminal code, and the election of city council members who create essential ordinances, including those that dictate voting rights.' Additionally, Republicans have criticized the law as a way to dilute 'the voice of American citizens.' 'It's also important to acknowledge that many local elections are decided by razor-thin margins underscoring their significance and importance of active participation,' Pfluger said. GOP lawmakers also cited opposition from D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, who withheld her signature from the ordinance but allowed it to take effect. 'Why would my colleagues on the other side of the aisle want foreigners to vote in local elections in Washington, D.C.? What's the purpose?' Pfluger said. 'Free and fair elections are prerequisites for the healthy republic our founding fathers envisioned, with the District of Columbia as the epicenter.' House Republicans passed a bill in 2023 seeking to repeal the D.C. law allowing noncitizens to vote. The bill was spearheaded by Republicans but 52 Democrats ultimately joined all Republicans in approving the bill despite efforts from Democratic leadership to quash the proposal. However, the legislation was never considered in the Senate, which was controlled by Democrats at the time. Despite not being a state, Washington is permitted to operate as an independent city government under the D.C. Home Rule Act. However, local laws are still subject to congressional approval before they can take effect, occasionally setting up showdowns between Congress and local lawmakers. The vote on Tuesday is the first of three bills being considered this week by the House to rein in some of D.C.'s local ordinances. Other proposals being considered would rescind D.C. Council policies allowing city employees to not comply with requests from the Department of Homeland Security or Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
New York Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- New York Post
House votes to overturn DC law allowing noncitizens to vote
WASHINGTON — House Republicans voted Tuesday to scrap a Washington, DC, law permitting noncitizens to vote in local elections and overturn another local law curtailing law enforcement liability protections. In a 266 to 148 vote with one present, the House moved to nix the 2022 Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act and ensure that only US citizens can vote in DC elections. 'Free and fair elections are a prerequisite for a healthy republic,' Rep. August Pfluger (R-Texas), who introduced the bill, said in a statement. 'The radical DC Council's decision to allow noncitizens—including illegal aliens and foreign agents—to vote in local elections dilutes the voting power of the citizen voter.' Advertisement 'That power must be defended, and I am thrilled House Republicans took action today to do so.' 3 Rep. August Pfluger accused Washington, DC, of diluting the voting power of American citizens. Getty Images Under the DC Home Rule Act of 1973, the nation's capital has certain authority, such as the ability to elect its own mayor and city council, but Congress can scuttle local laws. Advertisement Congress had gone over 30 years without meddling in DC affairs, but ended that streak in 2023 when it nixed a local law that rolled back penalties for certain felonies, such as armed robbery. Former President Joe Biden backed the overturning of that law, despite initially signalling a veto. Last year, House Republicans attempted to nix the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act, but were unable to get it through the Senate, which has since flipped into GOP control. DC is not the only municipality that allows noncitizens to vote in local election contests. There are cities in California, Vermont, and Maryland that also allow it. Advertisement 3 DC Mayor Muriel Bowser has opposed congressional meddling in city affairs. AP The nation's capital allows noncitizens to vote for mayor, attorney general, city council, city ballot measures and more. Noncitizens are also allowed to run for office in DC. Proponents of the policy have argued that DC is home to noncitizens who have lived in the city for decades and pay taxes but haven't been able to vote. Under current law, noncitizens are forbidden from voting in federal elections. Pfluger has been a staunch opponent of the law and argued that it undermines the rights of American citizens. Advertisement 'Anyone who voted against this legislation voted for the transfer of political power away from legal voters,' Pfluger told The Post. 'With the House passage of my legislation today, we are one step closer to restoring the sanctity of the voting process to ensure that only American citizens are voting in our nation's capital.' Another bill, titled the 'Protecting Our Nation's Capital Emergency Act,' introduced by Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), also cleared the lower chamber in a 235-178 vote with one lawmaker voting present. 3 Rep. Andrew Garbarino introduced a bill to restore liability protections for Washington, DC, police. Newsday via Getty Images 'The Metropolitan Police Department is facing a public safety crisis brought on by reckless policies that have stripped officers of basic protections and left the force dangerously understaffed,' Garbarino said in a statement. 'This legislation helps right that wrong by giving MPD the tools and support they need to recruit, retain, and protect. Congress has a duty to ensure our nation's capital is safe.' The DC Police Union, which includes some 3,000 members, had endorsed the bill that rolls back DC's Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022, which limited Metropolitan Police Department officers' ability to collectively negotiate disciplinary actions. Garbarino's measure also restores a statute of limitations on claims against DC police. 'Mayor Bowser continues to oppose all congressional interference in the lives and affairs of Washingtonians. DC will continue to fight to protect our home rule and self-determination,' the DC mayor's office said in a statement to The Post. Advertisement Later this week, the House is expected to take up a third bill targeting the nation's capital, titled the 'District of Columbia Federal Immigration Compliance Act,' which axes city policies to limit compliance with immigration enforcement authorities. DC is still lobbying Congress to pass legislation to fix an inadvertent $1 billion cut in its budget from a stopgap measure to prevent a partial government shutdown in March. 'If Congress wants to be helpful, they should pass the District of Columbia Local Funds Act to fix their damage to DC's FY25 budget,' the DC mayor's office added.
