Senators love to invoke the constitution, but have they ever bothered to read it?

(originally posted June 13, 2007)

Earlier this year the House rammed through legislation to give a representative from the District of Columbia voting rights in the House and add another representative for Utah.
On 6/13/07 the Senate committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs approved the house measure.

Ranking member Susan Collins (R-ME) had this to say:
“I believe that residents of the District of Columbia should have voting representation in the U.S. House of Representatives as a matter of fundamental fairness. The concern that I have always had is how this representation could be granted to the District in a manner that is consistent with the Constitution. "

Well Senator Collins,the constitution is quite clear on the matter, in order to be consistent with the constitution just try reading the preamble, you don't even need to read the whole thing:
"The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States, and the Electors in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of the State Legislature."

So your choices are:

1. Grant DC statehood and they will receive 2 representatives and two senators (based on population they will have the same representation as Wyoming, North Dakota and South Dakota
2. Dissolve the federal district and ceed the land back to Maryland
3. Amend the constitution of the United States
4. Keep things status quo where DC has a representative who can attend all House functions, can speak on all proposals, and can vote in committee but has no vote on the House floor... just like every other possession or territory.
   

Senator Collins concludes:
“This legislation raises complex issues, but the ultimate goal makes it worth my support.”

This legislation does not raise "complex issues", the issue is quite simple, it is illegal and unconstitutional. The constitution can only be changed by amendment, not by a legislative vote. The constitution clearly says states get voting representatives in the House... not protectorates, not territories, not possessions and not federal districts.

Since our elected officials take oaths to uphold the constitution perhaps they should try reading it some time.