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Washington, DC – The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) urges Members of Congress to support H. Res. 78, which would amend the House Rules to permit Delegates and the Resident Commissioner to cast votes in the Committee of the Whole. The following CAPAC members said:
Rep. Honda (CA-15): "Delegate voting improves the legislative process and increases the degree to which the House of Representatives accurately reflects the 300 million Americans who are subject to the laws it passes," said Rep. Michael Honda (CA-15), Chair of CAPAC. "Of great significance to the Asian Pacific Islander community, the resolution would give greater voice to the approximate 170,000 U.S. citizens in Guam, and the approximate 60,000 U.S. nationals in American Samoa. Every American benefits from a truer democracy. I urge my colleagues to pass this measure."
Rep. Faleomavaega (AS): "The Rules changes being considered are important not because they would provide the territorial representatives a symbolic vote, but because they would enhance our opportunities to participate in the democratic process," said Rep. Eni Faleomavaega, Delegate from American Samoa and Vice Chair of CAPAC. "These changes have been judicially affirmed as clearly constitutional. The passage of these Rules gives Congress the potential to enhance legislation produced in the House by making it more inclusive. H. Res. 78 would allow us as Delegates and Resident Commissioner to better represent our constituents by providing a voting record through which they could evaluate our positions on national legislation. I strongly support this legislation and I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 78, and allow the Delegates a vote in the Committee of the Whole on the State of the Union."
Rep. Bordallo (GU): "Our participation by voting in the Committee of the Whole would be entirely consistent with the very foundations of our representative democracy," said Rep. Madeleine Bordallo, Delegate from Guam and Secretary of CAPAC. "This is about our ability to represent our constituents. The right to vote in this manner is symbolically important to us and the people we represent. It means our colleagues recognize us as part of the American family and it would grant us meaningful participation in the legislative process. I hope the House moves forward tomorrow and passes the proposed amendment to the rules." |
