Petroplex News

WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. House of Representatives passed Congressman August Pfluger's legislation today by a bipartisan vote of 262-143 to block noncitizens from voting in Washington, D.C. In 2022, the D.C. Council enacted the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act, which allows noncitizens, including illegal immigrants, to vote in local elections.

"Free and fair elections are a prerequisite for a healthy republic," said Rep. Pfluger. "The radical DC Council decision to allow noncitizens—including illegal aliens and foreign agents—to vote in elections dilutes the voting power of the citizen voter. My legislation restores the sanctity of the voting process and ensures that only American citizens are voting in our Nation’s capital."

Rep. Pfluger spoke on the House Floor in support of his legislation.

"M. Speaker,

I rise in support of H.R. 192, my bill to prohibit individuals who are not citizens of the United States from voting in elections in the District of Columbia.

Our Founding Fathers envisioned a healthy, functioning republic with D.C. as the epicenter.

The federal district is special, and it is Congress through the Constitution that our founders entrusted with its care. Specifically, 'exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever,' over the District.

We bear responsibility for the good and bad. In this case, the D.C. City Council has made a short-sighted decision that I fear could be a harbinger across the country. The D.C. City Council has moved to allow noncitizens—including illegal aliens and foreign agents—to vote in local D.C. elections. In fact, not only are they allowed to vote, they are encouraged. Just take a look at this flyer sent out across the district encouraging non-citizens to vote for Mayor, Attorney General, members of the State Board of Education, and more.

Some may argue that these are 'just' local elections. Yes, they are local elections but they are democratic elections that regularly determine taxation, criminal code decisions, and elect city council members who decide ordinances like who gets the right to vote—not to mention many local elections are decided by close margins.

I find it inconceivable that this City Council—and now many other City Councils across the country—would intentionally dilute their constituents' voting power (many from underserved communities) for noncitizens who otherwise would not meet residency requirements or pay taxes; some even broke our laws to enter this country or could be employed by a foreign adversary.

As the Capital of our democracy, D.C ought to lead safe and secure election practices—not incentivize those our adversaries will relish.

Look beyond Democrats’ calls for this bill being discriminatory or false claims about its intended purpose; I’m asking my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to look ahead.

Free and fair elections are prerequisites for a healthy republic; noncitizen voting dilutes citizen voters' power whether it's one or one million votes.

Congress must act clearly and decisively barring noncitizens from any election; we must keep American elections American ensuring all voters are American citizens starting with D.C."