Washington, D.C. Admission Act

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 51 and its affront to the Constitution.

The Founding Fathers did not intend for Washington, D.C., to be a State. Article I, Section 8, Clause 17 of the United States Constitution provides Congress with exclusive jurisdiction over the District of Columbia. The enclave clause was included for specific reasons, notably the fact that the operation of the seat of the Federal Government of the United States, whose laws now affect approximately 330 million Americans, should not be impeded by local ordinances, actions, or taxation.

The Framers of the Constitution had good reason for this concern, having witnessed the reluctance of local authorities to police disorderly conduct by protesters in June of 1783, conduct that forced the adjournment of Congress and the flight of its Members to neighboring States. We see similar situations playing out in the streets today, right here in Washington, D.C.

Passage of this vote today violates the Constitution in two different ways: first, withdrawing specifically enumerated powers granting Congress control of the Federal district; and, two, ignoring the constitutional amendment process the Framers outlined to make changes to our founding charter.

Yesterday, I testified on my amendment to the Rules Committee, which reaffirmed and enhanced congressional leadership over the District provided in the District of Columbia Home Rule Act. Unfortunately, my colleagues did not accept this amendment, which was crafted in the spirit of the Constitution, pushing this legislation and the legal thought behind it even further away from our founding tradition.

The last few months have been very difficult times in this country, with unrest spanning throughout our Nation, including right here inside Washington, D.C., itself. In the face of willful disregard for the rule of law, it is irresponsible for this body to follow in these footsteps by blatantly taking action against our Constitution.

The democratic and legal wisdom of our Founders is unprecedented, and their calls for a legal charter, which granted and preserved individual liberties and good governance, stand true today. Going against their intentions now is neither prudent nor in the best interest of the country.

I urge my colleagues to vote against H.R. 51.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source