Heller Speaks on District of Columbia Voting Rights Bill

March 22, 2007

(Washington, DC) – Today, U.S. Congressman Dean Heller (R-NV) made the following statement on the DC Voting Rights Bill, HR1433, which would give Washington, DC a voting member of Congress and Utah, an At-Large Representative. Congressman Heller argued in addition to the Constitutional concerns of the legislation, that Nevada would be slighted by arbitrarily allocating Utah an additional member of Congress.

Mr. Speaker,

I rise today in opposition to this legislation. The matter has questions of basic fairness, but also serious constitutional concerns.

As a former Secretary of State for Nevada, I have spent years trying to figure out ways to promote voting. I support the voting rights of all Americans, and I am sympathetic to the concerns of my colleague from the District.

Additionally, I understand the concerns of Utah, and of its population that lives abroad and outside its borders. I served as a missionary myself, so I fully appreciate that challenge.

But until this year, Nevada had a 20 year grip on the fastest annual population growth. Nevada was extremely close to being granted both a third and a fourth seat following the 2000 census. CRS growth projections show that Nevada is practically guaranteed another seat by virtue of its amazing population growth.

Nevada's population is about even to Utah's, but Nevada is growing significantly faster than our neighbor. From 1990 to 2000, Utah grew by just over 500,000 people while Nevada grew by more than 800,000. From 2000 to 2006, Nevada's growth has outstripped Utah's by an additional 200,000 people, and is gaining a net 24,000 people per year in comparison.

Again, I understand the concerns of my Utah colleagues following the 2000 census, but to give to Utah NOW by legislation arguably slights Nevada.

Colleagues, I know the intent is good, but the means by which we achieve them are just as important, and I urge a NO vote.

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