DC Vote Applauds Statements Against H.R. 3, Calls on Reid to Step Up

For more information contact: James Jones, Communications Director
202.462.6000 x12 office / 202.557.4864 mobile / jjones@dcvote.org

May 3, 2011

DC Vote applauds the strong statements today from the Obama Administration, the women of the Congressional Black Caucus and the DC Council against H.R. 3, a bill which would permanently ban the District from using local taxpayer funds to provide low-income women with equal access to reproductive health care. The bill also includes language to federalize the District government and local funds for the purposes of abortion funding, an unprecedented move in violation of Home Rule.

"District of Columbia residents took to the streets in protest last month to demand more support from their federal allies to end congressional interference in local affairs. These statements today from the White House and the women of the CBC are a victory for District residents and DC Vote, which has worked to organize the movement to protect DC Home Rule from federal interference," said DC Vote Executive Director Ilir Zherka. "Now DC calls on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to do the same and take a stand for Home Rule in the District of Columbia."

The DC Council directed a letter to congressional leadership, copying President Obama, highlighting the fact that the District of Columbia would be "the only jurisdiction in the country" that H.R. 3 would prohibit from making the decision to use locally-raised funds to cover abortions.

The women of the CBC directed their letter to the democratic women of the Senate, saying they were "deeply disappointed that low-income women in the District of Columbia were sacrificed during the CR negotiations," and they hope the women of the Senate will use H.R. 3 as an occasion to stand up for DC women, who have no voting representation in Congress.

President Obama's administration issued a Statement of Administration Policy that it strongly opposes H.R. 3 for reasons including that the bill "restricts the District of Columbia's use of local funds, which undermines home rule." The statement concluded by saying Obama's advisors would recommend he veto the bill.

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