Recognizing on May 28, 2018, Memorial Day, the denial of full voting rights in Congress for active duty servicemembers, National Guard members, reservists, veterans, and their families who are residents of the District of Columbia.

Bill: 115-hres-917
Sponsor: full_name: Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
Introduced: 2018-05-25
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Commemorative events and holidays

Congressional tributes

District of Columbia

Military personnel and dependents

Voting rights
Latest action: action_date: 2018-05-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Summaries:
action_date: 2018-05-25
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p>Recognizes, on Memorial Day, May 28, 2018, the denial of full voting rights in Congress for active duty service members, National Guard members, reservists, veterans, and their families who are residents of Washington, DC. </p>

tv_txt: IV 115th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 917 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 25, 2018 Ms. Norton submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform RESOLUTION Recognizing on May 28, 2018, Memorial Day, the denial of full voting rights in Congress for active duty servicemembers, National Guard members, reservists, veterans, and their families who are residents of the District of Columbia.

Whereas on the last Monday of May, our Nation observes Memorial Day, a Federal holiday commemorating the men and women who died in the service of their country; Whereas the service and sacrifice of active duty ser­vice­mem­bers, National Guard members, reservists, veterans, and their families are unparalleled; Whereas the civilian population of the United States has the honor and privilege of being protected by active duty servicemembers, National Guard members, and reservists; Whereas active duty servicemembers, National Guard members, reservists, and veterans have risked life and limb to protect the American people and uphold the rights and freedoms of the people of the United States; Whereas approximately 30,000 veterans are residents of the District of Columbia and lack full voting rights in Congress; Whereas residents of the District of Columbia fought to create the United States, fighting for the Revolutionary War slogan of no taxation without representation , and have served in every war since; Whereas 635 District of Columbia residents were casualties of World War I, a casualty figure greater than that observed by 3 different States during the war; Whereas 3,575 District of Columbia residents were casualties of World War II, a casualty figure greater than that observed by 4 different States during the war; Whereas 547 District of Columbia residents were casualties of the Korean war, a casualty figure greater than that observed by 8 different States during the war; Whereas 243 District of Columbia residents were casualties of the Vietnam war, a casualty figure greater than that observed by 10 different States during the war; Whereas 192,406 District of Columbia residents have served in the military since World War I; Whereas residents of the District of Columbia, including active duty servicemembers, National Guard members, reservists, and veterans, are denied full voting representation in the House of Representatives and the Senate; and Whereas Congress should pass H.R. 1291 and S. 1278, the Washington, D.C. Admission Act, which would grant full and equal voting representation as well as democratic control over local affairs to the District of Columbia by making it the 51st State and which has a record 159 cosponsors in the House and 24 in the Senate: Now, therefore, be it

That on May 28, 2018, Memorial Day, the House of Representatives recognizes the denial of full voting rights in Congress for active duty servicemembers, National Guard members, reservists, veterans, and their families who are residents of the District of Columbia.