Veterans Urge D.C. Vote in Congress

• DC is 60% Black
  

Three District veterans of the war in Iraq yesterday appealed to the U.S. House of Representatives to extend a provisional floor vote to Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton when Congress reconvenes today, saying they risked their lives to bring democracy to Baghdad only to return home without a vote in America's capital. "The maximum is what my buddies and I are pledged to give," said Army Reserve Spec. Isaac Lewis, 26. "We believe that voting representation is not too much to ask in return." Lewis was joined by Specs. Marcus Gray, 22, and Emory Kosh, 22, of the 299th Engineer Company. The 170-member Army Reserve unit cleared invasion lanes of mines for the 3rd Infantry Division's 1st Combat Brigade near the Iraqi border in March 2003 and returned to the United States that August. Norton (D-D.C.), Mayor Anthony A. Williams (D) and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) joined the soldiers yesterday, issuing a city proclamation honoring Iraq veterans in the District and calling on House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) to intervene by seeking a rule change. Norton and delegates from four U.S. territories were allowed by Democrats to vote on the House floor in most cases from 1993 to 1995. However, if their votes ever provided the margin of victory on a measure, any member of the House could request a second, binding vote without them. Republicans did away with the limited vote upon taking control of Congress in 1995.  [more]