D.C. House seat supporters optimistic

WASHINGTON, Feb. 23 (UPI) -- The stars may be aligning for the District of Columbia's long-sought hopes of gaining a voting member in the U.S. House of Representatives, supporters say.

After at least 30 years of struggle for the district, which includes the city of Washington, supporters of D.C. congressional voting rights say a current bill to create a full House seat for it will pass, The Washington Post reported Monday.

"I think the votes are there. I think it's going to pass the Senate," said Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, who is sponsoring the bill with Sen. Joseph Lieberman, Ind-Conn.

Gains made by Democrats in Congress since 2006 may be a key in passing the D.C. measure in the House, where it is expected to be approved as early as next month, the Post said. Two years ago, a similar measure fell short by three votes but Democrats have expanded their majority in the chamber since then.

"We were disappointed before and we don't expect to be disappointed this time," Lloyd Leonard, director of advocacy for the League of Women Voters, told the newspaper.

Opponents contend the U.S. Constitution only provides for full congressional membership for states, effectively eliminating the District of Columbia from consideration.