Washington, D.C. — Rep. Nick LaLota (Suffolk County, NY) released the following statement after voting to pass H.R. 884, a resolution prohibiting noncitizens from voting in elections in Washington, D.C. by repealing the District’s Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022. “Voting is a sacred right reserved for U.S. citizens, and allowing noncitizens to cast ballots in our nation’s capital undermines that principle,” said Rep. LaLota. “As a former Commissioner of the Suffolk County Board of Elections, I know firsthand how essential it is to strengthen public trust in our elections. I’m stunned that 148 Democrats opposed this commonsense bill—leaders of both parties should agree that only American citizens should vote in D.C. elections. Protecting our democracy starts with protecting the ballot.” To read the full text of the resolution, click HERE. Background: H.R. 884, introduced by Rep. August Pfluger, seeks to repeal the 2022 D.C. Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act, effectively rescinding the ability for non-citizens—including green card holders—to vote in D.C.'s local elections (congress.gov). On June 10, 2025, the U.S. House passed the bill by a vote of 266–148, reflecting notable bipartisan support, including 56 Democrats joining Republicans (washingtonpost.com). The legislation now heads to the Senate and awaits action in the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (congress.gov). Supporters argue the bill protects the franchise of American citizens by ensuring only citizens vote in D.C. elections, while opponents—led by D.C.'s mayor and Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton—warn it undermines local self-governance and the District's home rule authority (fox5dc.com). The Senate’s decision will determine whether non-citizen voting rights in D.C. are permanently eliminated or restored. ### |