LWVUS expressed strong opposition to S.J.Res. 102/H.J.Res. 142 as an unwarranted intrusions into the District of Columbia's home rule. It would overturn existing law enacted by DC’s elected officials to address concerns that hold significant importance for the residents who proudly call Washington, DC home.
February 3, 2026
Re: Reject DC Disapproval Resolutions S.J.Res. 102/H.J.Res. 142
Dear Members of the Senate:
On behalf of the League of Women Voters of the United States (the League), we write to express our strong opposition S.J.Res. 102/H.J.Res. 142 as an unwarranted intrusion into the District of Columbia's home rule. It overturns existing law enacted by DC’s elected officials to address concerns that hold significant importance for the residents who proudly call Washington, DC home. Congressional action would not only undo the hard work of DC’s elected officials but also disregard the voices of the District's citizens.
These pieces of legislation are the latest in a long line of attacks on democracy in the District of Columbia. DC residents pay federal taxes and comply with all the other duties of citizenship, yet they are deprived of voting representation in Congress and have limited control over their own local governance. While we recognize that Congress has the authority to reject or amend laws enacted by DC through the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, passing these bills would yet again interfere in the affairs of the District, highlighting the relegation of its more than 700,000 residents to second-class citizens without the same voting rights enjoyed by citizens of states.
We urge the Senate to reject these resolutions, which would be an undemocratic overreach that would destabilize DC’s finances. District residents need the autonomy to manage their own affairs, free from external interference or meddling. It remains painfully clear that the right to vote is meaningless if the will of DC residents can be subverted and micromanaged by a Congress that gives them no say in the matter.
For questions, please feel free to reach out to me at [email protected] or Kristen Kern, our Federal Policy and Advocacy Manager, at [email protected].
Sincerely,
Jessica Jones Capparell
Director, Government Affairs