Talk Radio News Service: News, Politics, Media

By Monique Cala Talk Radio News Service/University of New Mexico

Legislation to grant voting rights to D.C. residents will not be considered on the House floor this week, and will likely not even make it on the floor this session, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md) told reporters Tuesday.

“The price was just too high," Hoyer said, a reference to an amendment in the legislation that would have removed the bulk of the district's gun-control laws.

Hoyer, a long time proponent for D.C. voting rights, stated that he was "extraordinarily disappointed," but said that the bill “should not be unfettered by any other provision.”

The D.C. City Council and a number of local advocacy organizations have come out against the bill, which would have granted D.C. a voting member and given Utah another, based on the firearm provision as well.

President Barack Obama and past presidents have supported giving the district a vote in the House. To show his support, President Bill Clinton sported a D.C. license plate that read "No Taxation Without Representation" on the presidential limousine during his time in office.

Although the bill may not come to the floor soon, Hoyer stated he was hopeful there would be some action “in the near future.”