Our Delegation had better say no to a fourth seat

Our Delegation had better say no to a fourth seat!

I may be cynical but I’m not stupid. What the heck is congress thinking about? A voting seat for Washington DC would be a total disaster, even if Utah was given a carrot of a 4th seat early. That’s right folks, Utah will get a 4th seat anyway maybe even a 5th if growth continues in Washington county.

In 2012 after the 2010 census we will get 4 anyway so what’s the hurry. I know, I know seniority right, but who would that likely new Representative be? An average joe like Rob Bishop, not likely. We are talking about a state wide race here (at large) and this will make the field very small who can afford a pre-convention state wide race for the GOP nomination.

Because lets face it folks, who ever wins this nomination, after the 2011 redistricting that the Legislature will orchestrate will be set for life. The districts will be redrawn to try again to remove Matheson, but the other 3 will be solid GOP until the Millennium.

But what really troubles me is this is totally UNCONSTITUTIONAL! One of the best explanations comes from


Government & Constitution
Why D.C. Representation in Congress Is Unconstitutional
by Rep. Candice MillerPosted Jun 12, 2006



Congress' Exclusive JurisdictionThough well-intentioned, this legislation is, above all, unconstitutional. The Constitution explicitly declares that representation in Congress can be granted only to states. Article 1, Section 2 states that "Representatives ... shall be apportioned among the several states..." Accordingly, the District of Columbia is currently represented in the House of Representatives not by a member of Congress, but instead by an elected delegate who can participate in debate and vote in committee but cannot vote on the House floor. The same goes for other American non-state territories that are comprised of American citizens, including Puerto Rico and Guam.Becoming a state is the only means by which the District of Columbia could gain a seat in the House of Representatives, and in order to pursue statehood, D.C. would first need the Constitution to be amended. The District of Columbia is unique among all other non-state territories, because Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution gives Congress exclusive jurisdiction "in all cases whatsoever" over the District of Columbia. Congress would need to be relieved of all responsibility for the district in order for the district to pursue statehood, and until such an amendment to the Constitution is passed, there will always be a question as to the constitutionality of a potential D.C. representative.

So should this issue come up for a vote in either body of congress, I expect all the Utah delegation to vote this down. If not, you are not upholding your oath to protect and defend the constitution of the United States.

Mark