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DC Vote Calls on Obama to ‘Take a Stand’ Against Gun Amendment

Updated: 6:03 p.m.

DC Vote has called on President Barack Obama to state publicly that he will veto any D.C. voting rights bill that contains an amendment supported by the National Rifle Association changing the District’s gun laws.

“The President should take a stand against the insane idea that Congress can impose its will whenever it wants against the people of the District of Columbia,” Executive Director Ilir Zherka said in a statement.

Zherka’s statement comes on the heels of House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer’s (D-Md.) announcement that he has pulled the voting rights bill from the calendar indefinitely. Hoyer announced that the bill would be considered on the floor this week, only to recant the statement a few days later when it became apparent that an amendment sponsored by Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) and Rep. Travis Childers (D-Miss.) changing the city’s stringent gun laws would be attached.

Hoyer said the fault “lies with those who do not honor the right of the District of Columbia to have a voting Representative and want to use this legislation as a vehicle for issues that they have.”

Last week, Obama spoke out in support of D.C. voting rights, saying, “I urge Congress to finally pass legislation that provides D.C. residents with voting representation and to take steps to improve the Home Rule Charter.”

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