Letter - People Power United joined coalition efforts to urge Congress not to usurp DC Council's local control
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People Power United joined other local, state, and national groups to send a letter to Congressional leaders to not usurp DC Council's local control in the appropriations process. Shout out to DC Vote for leading these efforts.
Here is the letter sent on behalf of our People Power United membership:
March 15, 2024
Senator Patty Murray, Chair
Senate Committee on Appropriations
The Capitol, Room S-128
Washington, D.C. 20510
Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chair
Senate Committee on Appropriations
The Capitol, Room S-128
Washington, D.C. 20510
Rep. Kay Granger, Chair
House Committee on Appropriations
The Capitol, Room H-307
Washington, D.C. 20515
Rep. Rosa DeLauro, Ranking Member
House Committee on Appropriations
The Capitol, Room H-307
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Members of Congress:
We, the undersigned organizations, write to urge the Appropriations Committees to remove all language from the District of Columbia FY 2024 Appropriations legislation usurping the D.C. Council’s local control and imposing the will of the Congress onto D.C.’s nearly 700,000 residents. Legislative budget “riders” go against the intent of the Home Rule Act and our country’s founding principle of self-government.
The 118th Congress has witnessed a concerning surge in Congressional interference compared to recent history. We implore Congress to reject these undemocratic elements and, instead, empower the people of D.C. to govern themselves. Over the past 12 months alone, Congress has asserted control over various aspects of local governance, including:
D.C.'s autonomy to cover reproductive and sexual health care
The District's Death with Dignity Act
The ability to regulate legalized cannabis sales
Qualifications for voting in D.C. local elections
Methodology for conducting local D.C. elections
The District’s emissions standards
The District's capacity to issue traffic tickets for illegal right turns on red lights
Use of cameras for traffic safety
Renaming a local street
These laws were enacted by D.C.'s elected officials to address concerns that hold significant importance for the nearly 700,000 residents who proudly call Washington, D.C. home. Congressional elements would not only overturn the hard work of our elected officials but also disregard the voices of our citizens.
Americans living in D.C. have no congressional representation to cast votes against this ongoing, relentless attack on local democracy. Until such a time that the residents of the District achieve full equality through Statehood, we implore Congress to grant District residents the autonomy to manage their own affairs, free from external interference or meddling.
The undersigned organizations, collectively representing millions of Americans, urge the Committees to pass the FY 2024 District of Columbia Appropriations legislation without anti-democratic riders that undermine D.C. residents’ right to govern themselves.
Sincerely,
DC Vote
League of Women Voters of the United States
League of Women Voters of the District of Columbia
American Civil Liberties Union DC
Anacostia Coordinating Council
Harriet’s Wildest Dreams
Concerned Citizens DC
DC Justice Lab
DC Action
DC Statehood PAC
Long Live GoGo
District of Columbia Young Democrats
DC Jobs With Justice
Good Projects DC
The Hustler’s Guild
Black Voters Matter Fund
Neighbors United for DC Statehood
DC Fiscal Policy Institute
Public Citizen
NextGen America
The Georgia Coalition for the People's Agenda
Transformative Justice Coalition
Voters of Tomorrow
Center for Common Ground
Third Act DC
Third Act VA
Third Act MD
The Workers Circle
End Citizens United
Let America Vote Action Fund
Fix Democracy First
Advancement Project
DC Appleseed Center for Law and Justice
People Power United
The Ward 6 Democrats of Washington DC
Muslims for Just Futures
Sierra Club
Network for Victim Recovery of DC (NVRDC)
League of Conservation Voters
People For the American Way
Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
Survivors and Advocates for Empowerment, Inc. (DC SAFE)
Interfaith Power & Light
Tzedek DC
National Organization for Women - Washington DC Chapter
Voices for Progress
Compassion & Choices
People Demanding Action
National Women's Political Caucus of Virginia
Secure Elections Network
Clean Elections Texas
Declaration for American Democracy
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People Power United champions progressive values and power to the people. We are a group of people who believe in the possibility of change and work to make it happen. Whether it's supporting a candidate, fighting to pass legislation, or working to change our culture, our members are committed to an inclusive and progressive future.