From Deseret News archives:
A D.C. seat called legal, illegal
Shurtleff, Cannon, Hatch back bill to give Utah 4th seat
Shurtleff, Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah, and Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, all expressed during Wednesday's Senate hearing that a pending bill creating the two new House votes should be passed and is constitutional. But John Elwood of the Justice Department and other witnesses said the bill is anything but.
The pending bill creates a fourth House seat for Utah, which would likely go to a Republican, to balance the vote that would go to the District of Columbia, which would likely go to a Democrat.
The House passed a similar bill last month, but the Senate version allows Utah to decide how its new district would look, and an election for the new seat would take place in 2008. The House bill included an at-large seat for Utah, where the new member would represent the whole state until after the 2010 Census, when Utah would likely get its new seat anyway.
The main disagreements revolve around the district's component of the bill, where experts take issue with the fact that the district is not a "state." And Utahns at the hearing were strong advocates for a D.C. vote in Congress.
Shurtleff and Cannon added that the framers of the Constitution did not intend to deprive the district's citizens of representation in Congress.
Cannon said the framer's wanted a separate federal district to serve as the seat of the federal government to "ensure that the nation's capital would be insulated from undue influence of the states and that its security would not be left in the hands of any one state."
"Denying District of Columbia residents the right to vote in elections for the House of Representatives was not necessary, or even relevant, to further these purposes," Cannon said. "And contrary to the claims of some, there is no indication in the ratification debates that the framers intended such disenfranchisement."
Shurtleff and other supporters of the bill argue Congress still has power through the District Clause, which gives Congress power over the district, to grant the district a House vote.
Comments
- 'Grandfamilies' a growing trend 12:31 a.m.
- 'Cyber Monday' sales top records 12:29 a.m.
- 2 citations issued at Y.-U. game 12:26 a.m.
- No drugs in driver of Am.F. band bus 12:15 a.m.
- Governor Mansion to begin free tours 12:14 a.m.
- Head of Mexico Consulate dies 12:14 a.m.
- Gas pipeline gets preliminary OK 12:13 a.m.
- 10-year-old's 911 call saves mom 12:12 a.m.
- Jazz photo gallery 12:07 a.m.
- Scholars defend 'Messiah' 12:04 a.m.
- Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
- Y. student vanished in China
- Max Hall issues apology
- Utes won't respond to Hall
- Hall reprimanded by MWC
- Cougs begin bowl preparations
- Boy shot following traffic stop
- Mitchell called intelligent, controlling
- Matthews passes new Jazz tests
- U. eyes bowl for redemption
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
898 - Cougars beat Utes in overtime
481 - Max Hall issues apology
379 - Hall reprimanded by MWC
370 - Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
316 - Utes won't respond to Hall
257 - BYU is champion of the state
140 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
121 - Cave to be sealed with body inside
120 - Religion in politics is tiresome
110
Live 'Twittologue' Dec. 2, 4:00 p.m. with Jason Chaffetz. Click for more.
I wanted to tell them not to go. I dropped subtle hints. "My money is on...
When I was a kid, I worshipped my grandpa. He was undoubtedly my hero....
There are some games I love not on your list. Arkham Asylum for one.
Our parents made my brothers help kill and clean our rabbits before we ate...
Why would you keep it open? I would understand if there was a lot of amazing...
The government will run our health care well? Read Reader's Digest, November...
TCU stomped on the MWC so they are naturally ready to crush Florida, Alabama...
could you understand Dave Locke any more than my mom does and she is not even...
Attending the ND/BYU game 3 years ago in south bend, a couple of things stuck...
I missed the game, actually i heard a little bit of Locke on the radio (man...
quotes were good: Article was dumb and unnecessary.
I believe the art depicting Joseph looking at the plates may possibly be...


You can be the first to comment on this story.