On the recordNovember 8, 2023
I strongly oppose this amendment. This amendment would prohibit the District of Columbia from using its local funds to require an individual to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. How D.C. spends its local funds, which consists of local taxes and fees, should be a decision for D.C., not Congress. If D.C.'s local elected officials want to spend local funds on requiring individuals to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, they should have the authority to do so. If they do not want to spend local D.C. funds on requiring individuals to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, they should have the authority not to do so. D.C.'s local elected officials are accountable to D.C. residents. If D.C. residents do not like the decisions of their local elected officials, they can vote them out of office. D.C. residents, a majority of whom are Black and Brown, are capable and worthy of governing themselves. If House Republicans cared about democratic principles or D.C. residents, they would bring my D.C. statehood bill which would give D.C. residents voting representation in Congress and full local self-government to this floor. Congress has the constitutional authority to admit the State of Washington, D.C. It simply lacks the will. I say to every Member of Congress, keep your hands off D.C. If you want to legislate on local D.C. matters, become a D.C. resident and get elected Mayor or councilmember. Mr. Chair, I urge colleagues to oppose this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.
