On Thursday, March 15, 2007, ACS hosted a briefing on “Voting Representation for the District of Columbia.” As it has done in past congressional sessions, Congress is currently considering legislation that would extend voting representation to D.C. residents. Opponents of such legislation have raised questions about the constitutionality of extending the right to vote to residents of a “non-state.” Does Congress possess the power to provide such voting rights through simple legislation or would a constitutional amendment be required? Advocates from both sides of the issue presented their positions in a panel discussion that included the opportunity for audience questions. Video of the event is available in Windows Media and Real formats; an MP3 of the panel is also available.

Video is available for each of the panelists:

• Bruce Spiva, Partner, Spiva & Hartnett, LLP and Chair of the Board of Directors of D.C. Vote (Windows Media | Real)

• Walter Smith, Executive Director, D.C. Appleseed (Windows Media | Real)

• John Fortier, Research Fellow, American Enterprise Institute (Windows Media | Real)

• Moderator, Gilda Daniels, Assistant Professor, University of Baltimore School of Law (Windows Media | Real)

• Question and Answer (Windows Media | Real)