Patrick Leahy: “in 2005, President Bush praised the Iraqi people for exercising the Democratic right to vote. He noted that by…”

“in 2005, President Bush praised the Iraqi people for exercising the Democratic right to vote. He noted that by participating in free elections, the Iraqi people firmly rejected the anti-democratic ideology of the terrorists, and they demonstrated the kind of courage that is always the foundation of self-government. Similar to President Bush, I applaud when anyone has the right to vote and the right to determine where they will go with that right to vote. I wish, though, the President would speak as enthusiastically about voting rights for the American citizens who live literally in his backyard, in the same city where he resides in the White House. It is disappointing that the Bush administration has threatened to veto legislation that would give a vote to the Member of the House of Representatives from the District of Columbia. I also understand the opponents of this voting rights bill are considering a filibuster to prevent its passage.”