House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) has advocated for the passage of H.R. 884, a bill that aims to prevent noncitizens from voting in District of Columbia elections. The legislation, introduced by Representative August Pfluger (R-Texas), is intended to safeguard what Comer describes as "Americans’ sacred right to vote in U.S. elections." The bill received bipartisan support during the last Congress.
Chairman Comer addressed the House floor, stating his support for H.R. 884, which seeks to restrict voting rights in D.C. to only U.S. citizens. He highlighted that on November 21, 2022, the D.C. government enacted a law allowing noncitizen residents, including illegal immigrants and foreign diplomats, to participate in local elections.
Comer noted that this change has caused concern among lawmakers from both parties. He pointed out that D.C. Mayor Bowser chose not to sign the Act—a rare occurrence for her—and emphasized that when a similar bill was presented previously, it garnered significant bipartisan backing with 262 members supporting it.
Despite this support, Comer lamented that the Senate did not consider what he referred to as a "bipartisan, commonsense bill" aimed at preserving election integrity in Washington D.C.
Comer argued that extending voting rights to noncitizens undermines the voices of D.C. residents and contradicts Article I of the Constitution, which grants Congress authority over the capital's governance.
He concluded by urging his colleagues to back Representative Pfluger’s proposal as a measure to ensure only U.S. citizens can vote in local elections within D.C., thus restoring what he called "commonsense protections."
