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Fast Facts
√ Americans living in our nation’s capital pay taxes, serve on juries, and defend our nation in war, but do not have equal voting representation in Congress.
√ A national poll conducted in January 2005 showed that 82 percent of Americans believe that Washingtonians deserve equal voting representation in the House and Senate.
√ While we are attempting to export democracy abroad, we still need to provide democratic rights for people living in America’s capital.
√ District residents have always served our nation when called to defend democracy. In fact, DC lost more people in the Vietnam War than 10 other states.
√ The District of Columbia has more people living in it than the entire state of Wyoming and is close in population to six other states, including: Alaska; Delaware; Montana; North Dakota; South Dakota and Vermont.
√ The United States of America is the only democratic nation in the world to deny citizens living in the nation’s capitol representation in the national legislature.
Why Is Congressional Voting Representation Important for DC?
√ Military Service: DC’s daughters and sons fight and die for America defending freedom and democracy but have no vote when Congress votes to send them to war.
√ Federal Taxes: People living in DC pay one of the highest per capita federal income taxes in the country but have no vote on how the federal government spends their money.
√ Voting Rights: Concerned American citizens living in our nation’s capital have no vote on important issues affecting nearly every aspect of their daily lives including: health care, Social Security, environmental protection, crime control, public safety and foreign policy.
√ Education: Parents, teachers and community leaders have no vote when it comes to shaping national educational policies and academic standards.
√ Economy and Business: DC business owners and workers are denied a vote in determining how Congress regulates business policy and the economy.
√ Law: Local laws passed by locally elected officials are routinely overruled by members of Congress pursuing their own personal agendas without regard for the welfare of DC residents.
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Winter 2006
May 2007
President's Message (Sue Irvine)
