Providing for Consideration of H.R. Terminating Cdc Requirement for Proof of Covid-19 Vaccination for Foreign Travelers; Providing for Consideration of H.J. Res. Disapproving the Action of the District of Columbia Council in Approving the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of Providing for Consideration of H.J. Res. Disapproving the Action of the District of Columbia Council in Approving the Revised Criminal Code Act of 2022
Floor Speech
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Mr. BEYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the rule.
H.J. Res. 24 and H.J. Res. 26 are blatant attempts to undermine D.C. Home Rule. These resolutions are explicit efforts by Members of Congress to interfere in local government. They aim to directly override the D.C. Council and dictate what D.C. residents can and cannot do on a local level.
I firmly believe that the District of Columbia, like any other jurisdiction across the country, should be allowed to govern itself. I am just confused that my Republican friends, who have such a deep commitment to federalism--federalism, where decisions are best made at the local level--why they would work to impede the right of 700,000 American citizens to self-govern?
It is critical that we fiercely protect this right on behalf of citizens living in D.C. We weren't voted to be D.C. City Council members. D.C. citizens didn't ask for our say in local matters. I trust my mayor of the city of Alexandria, Justin Wilson, to represent me ably there, and everyone else respects the people in their hometown, their home States, to do the same.
I am certainly not here offering to overturn local city council rulemaking in Kentucky or Georgia or Texas, but I am sure I could find plenty to disagree with.
We have got to respect the American democratic process and allow the people of D.C. to govern themselves. If we, as a Congress, value and respect the principle of local self-governance that makes up the core of our democracy, it is hypocritical of us to revoke that right for the citizens of the District of Columbia.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to strongly join me in opposing H.J. Res. 24 and H.J. Res. 26.
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