Carbondale Reporter

The House Committee on Administration has approved U.S. Representative Mike Bost's legislation that requires U.S. citizenship to vote in any Washington, D.C., election. This bill, known as the American Confidence in Elections: District of Columbia Citizen Voter Act, is a response to the D.C. City Council's decision to grant non-citizens over the age of 18 the right to vote in city and local elections.

Representative Bost emphasized the importance of protecting the voting rights of American citizens. He stated, "Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution grants Congress direct control over Washington, D.C.; and we have the right and responsibility to ensure that American citizens, and American citizens only, are voting in our nation's capital city." Bost expressed concern that allowing non-citizens to vote would dilute the votes of legal U.S. citizens and could potentially create opportunities for foreign interference. He added, "I refuse to stand by and allow radical liberals to weaken the voice of legal American citizens when Congress has the constitutional authority to stop it."

Chairman Bryan Steil of the Committee on House Administration also voiced his support for the bill, highlighting the need to restore confidence in D.C. elections. He stated, "American elections should be for American citizens. D.C. elections have been a disaster for years, and now they have implemented a ridiculous measure that will allow embassy staff from our foreign adversaries like Russia and China to vote after living in the capital for just 30 days." Chairman Steil emphasized the importance of Congress exercising its constitutional responsibility over D.C. to protect voters and commended Congressman Bost for his leadership in introducing this legislation.

The American Confidence in Elections: District of Columbia Citizen Voter Act is expected to be included in a package of legislation that House Republicans plan to advance for protecting the integrity of America's elections. This bill aims to ensure that only U.S. citizens have the right to vote in D.C. elections, preventing the potential for foreign interference and safeguarding the voice of the American people.

For more information on the House Committee's approval of the Bost election integrity bill, visit the official website of U.S. Representative Mike Bost.

Click this link to access more information: https://bost.house.gov/2023/11/house-committee-advances-bost-election-integrity-bill