A new day for partisanship

House Republicans have felt the sting of Partisanship during the passing of the Economic Stimulus Package. Congressmen Kevin Brady (R-TX) and Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) speak about how they feel, the relationship between the House and President Obama, and the time frame involved in passing the legislation. Representative Chaffetz said that although Democrats won the election, he "was elected too", and his constituents in Utah should have a stake in deciding on the package. (02:45)

By Michael Ruhl, University of New Mexico - Talk Radio News Service
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D.C. residents fight for voting rights

In a U.S. House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary hearing on H.R. 157, the "District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2009," heartfelt stories were told and frustrations were let out.

Even though the District of Columbia is considered the heart of the U.S., the people of D.C. do not have the same voting rights as do others in the other 50 states. D.C. residents do not have voting representation in the U.S. Congress or Senate, instead they are represented in the House of Representatives by a non-voting delegate.

D.C. native and U.S. Army Guard Captain in the D.C. National Guard, Yolanda O. Lee said "I am proud to be an American. I am proud to be a Washingtonian and I am proud to be a soldier. That will never change but I ask you to change my status as an American citizen who pays taxes and serves in war and peace, but is entitled only to a non-voting delegate in the U.S. House of Representatives. I ask for your support of the D.C. House Voting Rights Act."

House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.) said "Some of you believe that our founding fathers as all of us do had a pretty good handle on what they intended to do. Their voice in the election of the government which is to exercise authority over them. And that some 600,000 of our fellow citizens do not have that right. But where is that equal voice today? The people in the District were represented in Congress under the constitution until the Capitol moved here and their vote was taken from them."

Other witness list panelists like Congressman Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) argued against the act. "The constitution must come first." said Chaffetz.


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