The D.C. Fairness in Representation Act snagged its first Democratic co-sponsor Tuesday: Rep. Dennis Moore (Kan.).

The bill, which would grant the District of Columbia a full voting Member in the House of Representatives, was reintroduced by Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.) on Tuesday. Surrounded by a bipartisan group, including Mayor Anthony Williams (D), D.C. City Council members and former vice presidential candidate Jack Kemp (R), Davis said he hoped that Moore’s support would help the bill reach the level of support necessary for it to pass.[IMGCAP(1)]

“Nobody’s said ‘no’ to this in our leadership,” Davis said. “They’ve all sat back and waited for it to reach critical mass.”

The Democrats who spoke reiterated their support for a competing bill proposed by Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D.C.) that would also give the District two Senators. But they argue that Davis’ bill is the District’s best short-term hope for a voting Representative.

“We support the ‘No Taxation Without Representation Act,’” City Council Chairwoman Linda Cropp (D) said, but she added that Davis’ bill is “an extremely important first step.”

Davis’ bill would also create another House district in Utah, which, given the state’s recent voting patterns, would probably add a Republican seat to balance out the likely Democratic pickup in D.C.

A New Forum. Donald Evans, former Commerce secretary and longtime friend of President Bush, is taking the reins at the Financial Services Forum.

The financial services lobbying group announced Tuesday that Evans will join as chief executive officer, a new position, while Rob Nichols, a Treasury Department spokesman, will succeed former Rep. Rick Lazio (R-N.Y.) as president.

The forum made news in March when it dropped out of a coalition of business groups backing the president’s drive to overhaul Social Security.

The five-year old lobby group represents CEOs of 18 top financial services firms.

— Sonny Bunch and Tory Newmyer