Closer to Justice for D.C.

Utah senators could help close the representation deal.

THE HOUSE of Representatives voted yesterday to give the people of Washington, D.C., a voting representative in Congress. It's a significant victory in the District's fight for voting rights, and the day was, as many said, truly historic. We think, though, that a better way to describe the action by 241 members of Congress is righteous.

That 550,000 residents of the city that is the seat of democracy for the nation are denied a meaningful voice in their government is simply wrong. This injustice has persisted for 206 years, even as District residents went off to fight their country's wars, paid taxes and served as good citizens. "This legislation corrects a serious flaw in our democracy," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who deserves credit for making a priority of D.C. voting rights. The last time Congress acted on the issue was in 1978, when it passed a constitutional amendment, but that measure wasn't ratified. It is to the discredit of Republicans that the matter languished for the 12 years they controlled Congress.

But yesterday's vote wouldn't have occurred without the tireless efforts of a Republican from Northern Virginia. Rep. Thomas M. Davis III teamed with the District's nonvoting delegate, Eleanor Holmes Norton (D), to propose adding two seats to the House: one for the largely Democratic District and the other in largely Republican Utah. Twenty-one other Republicans joined Mr. Davis in the 241 to 177 vote.

The bill is not a perfect solution to the disenfranchisement of the District. But it's a fair and practical approach, unlike retrocession to Maryland. That idea was disingenuously floated by some Republicans, who well know it has no support in the District or Maryland.

The fight now moves to the Senate, where it faces serious obstacles; if it overcomes those, there's a veto threat from the White House. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) opposes the measure, and the bill's supporters may not have the votes to prevent a filibuster. Still, Utah's two Republican senators could play a key role. Sen. Bob Bennett supports the bill. Sen. Orrin G. Hatch had been supportive, but a change to the bill that makes the Utah seat at large, instead of by district, has caused him to have some reservations. If both Utah senators get on board, it could help get the measure to the floor. Moreover, it will have a passionate champion in Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman (I-Conn.), who has vowed quick action. Certainly, there is a way to go before history will really be made. Yet, as Ms. Norton said, "Nobody ever thought we would get this far."