N※N

Republicans Move to Change D.C. Gun Laws While No One Is Looking

Republicans Push Legislation to Overturn D.C.'s Noncitizen Voting Law Amid Broader Election Integrity Debates

In a move that underscores the ongoing partisan battles over voting rights and election integrity, House Republicans have introduced and advanced legislation aimed at prohibiting noncitizens from participating in local elections in Washington, D.C. The bill, which seeks to repeal a 2022 law passed by the D.C. Council allowing certain noncitizens to vote in municipal contests, represents a significant escalation in congressional oversight of the nation's capital. This development comes as Republicans nationwide intensify their focus on what they describe as vulnerabilities in the electoral system, particularly in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election.

The legislation, formally known as the "No Voting for Non-Citizens Act," was sponsored by Rep. August Pfluger, a Republican from Texas. Pfluger, who chairs the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement, and Intelligence, has framed the bill as a critical measure to safeguard American democracy. "Allowing noncitizens to vote in our elections dilutes the voice of American citizens and opens the door to foreign influence," Pfluger stated during a recent committee hearing. He argued that D.C.'s policy, which permits noncitizen residents—including those with green cards and other legal statuses—to cast ballots in local races for positions like mayor and city council, undermines the foundational principle that voting should be reserved for U.S. citizens.

The D.C. law in question, enacted in October 2022, was designed to expand democratic participation among the city's diverse population. Washington, D.C., is home to a significant number of immigrants, including diplomats, international organization employees, and long-term residents who contribute to the local economy through taxes and community involvement. Under the law, noncitizens who have resided in D.C. for at least 30 days are eligible to vote in local elections, provided they meet other standard requirements like age and residency. Proponents of the measure, including D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and various advocacy groups, have defended it as a progressive step toward inclusivity. "This is about representation for those who live, work, and pay taxes here," Bowser said in a statement following the law's passage. "D.C. residents deserve a say in their local government, regardless of citizenship status."

However, Republicans view this as a loophole that could be exploited. They point to the fact that D.C.'s elections are not limited to purely local matters; the city's government handles issues ranging from education and public safety to infrastructure, all of which have national implications given D.C.'s status as the seat of the federal government. Critics of the noncitizen voting law argue that it could inadvertently allow foreign nationals to influence policies that affect the entire country. For instance, during debates on the bill, Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) highlighted hypothetical scenarios where individuals from adversarial nations might sway local outcomes. "We're talking about the capital of the free world," Roy emphasized. "We cannot afford to let noncitizens, potentially with ties to foreign governments, vote in elections that shape the environment around our nation's leaders."

The push to overturn the D.C. law is part of a larger Republican strategy on election security. In recent years, the GOP has championed numerous bills at both state and federal levels aimed at tightening voter ID requirements, purging voter rolls, and restricting mail-in voting—measures they claim are necessary to prevent fraud. This narrative gained momentum following the 2020 presidential election, where former President Donald Trump and his allies made unsubstantiated claims of widespread irregularities. While there is no evidence that noncitizen voting has significantly impacted U.S. elections, Republicans have seized on isolated incidents and anecdotal reports to bolster their case. A 2023 report from the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, documented a handful of cases where noncitizens were found to have voted illegally, though experts note these are rare and often accidental.

Democrats, on the other hand, have decried the Republican bill as an overreach and an assault on D.C.'s limited autonomy. Washington, D.C., is not a state and lacks full voting representation in Congress, with its residents represented by a non-voting delegate in the House. This unique status means that federal lawmakers can intervene in local affairs, a power that has historically been exercised along partisan lines. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), a vocal opponent of the bill, accused Republicans of hypocrisy during floor debates. "They talk about election integrity, but this is really about suppressing voices in a city that overwhelmingly votes Democratic," Raskin said. He pointed out that similar noncitizen voting provisions exist in a few other U.S. municipalities, such as San Francisco and several towns in Maryland and Vermont, yet Congress has not targeted those areas. "This is selective interference," Raskin added, "designed to punish D.C. for its progressive policies."

The bill's path forward illustrates the divided nature of Congress. It advanced out of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee on a party-line vote, with Republicans unanimously supporting it and Democrats opposing. A full House vote is expected soon, and given the GOP's slim majority, the measure is likely to pass. However, its prospects in the Democrat-controlled Senate are dim. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has indicated that such bills are low priority, dismissing them as "partisan stunts." Even if it were to reach President Joe Biden's desk, a veto is almost certain, as the White House has expressed support for D.C. home rule and opposition to federal meddling in local voting laws.

Beyond the immediate legislative battle, this controversy highlights deeper tensions surrounding D.C.'s governance. For decades, advocates have pushed for D.C. statehood to grant its over 700,000 residents full congressional representation and greater control over local matters. The noncitizen voting law has become a flashpoint in this debate, with supporters arguing that expanding the franchise strengthens democracy, while opponents see it as further justification for federal oversight. "D.C. is treated like a colony," said Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, the District's non-voting representative, in a recent interview. "This bill is just the latest example of Congress overriding our decisions without giving us a real voice."

The implications of this legislation extend to national discussions on immigration and voting rights. With immigration a top issue in the 2024 campaign, Republicans are using the D.C. bill to rally their base, portraying it as a stand against what they call "open borders" policies. Former President Trump, the presumptive GOP nominee, has echoed these sentiments, claiming on social media that noncitizen voting is part of a Democratic plot to "steal elections." Democrats counter that such rhetoric is inflammatory and distracts from real issues like voter suppression in minority communities.

Experts in election law have weighed in, offering nuanced perspectives. Rick Hasen, a professor at UCLA School of Law and author of several books on voting rights, notes that while noncitizen voting in local elections is constitutionally permissible in some contexts, the D.C. case is complicated by the city's federal ties. "The Constitution doesn't explicitly bar noncitizens from voting, but federal law and tradition have generally limited it to citizens," Hasen explained. He predicts that if the bill becomes law, it could face legal challenges on grounds of congressional overreach, potentially reaching the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, local D.C. officials are preparing for various outcomes. The city's Board of Elections has already begun implementing the noncitizen voting program, registering a small number of eligible voters ahead of upcoming primaries. If the federal bill passes, it would nullify these efforts, forcing a reevaluation of voter rolls and potentially leading to confusion among residents. Advocacy groups like the ACLU and the League of Women Voters have vowed to fight the measure, arguing it disenfranchises tax-paying residents who are integral to the community.

As this debate unfolds, it serves as a microcosm of America's polarized views on democracy. Republicans frame their push as a defense of citizen sovereignty, while Democrats see it as an erosion of local control and inclusivity. Regardless of the bill's fate, it underscores the precarious balance of power in Washington, D.C., where local laws can become pawns in national political games. With the 2024 election looming, expect this issue to resonate beyond the capital, influencing campaigns and policy discussions across the country. The fight over who gets to vote in America's capital is far from over, and it may well shape the broader narrative on electoral reform in the years to come.

Read the Full The New Republic Article at:
[ https://www.yahoo.com/news/republicans-move-change-d-c-155551169.html ]