By Gerardo R. Partido
Variety News Staff

BY A vote of 226-191, the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday approved an amendment to its rules that grants limited voting rights to delegates from Guam and other U.S. territories and the District of Columbia.
This gives Guam a greater voice in Congress and enables Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo to more effectively lobby and express her constituents’ views on a number of issues.
The limited voting right, however, is more symbolic than anything else as the delegates can’t vote on the final passage of legislation and if their votes influence the outcome of an amendment vote, a re-vote will be held without them.
This restriction was added to avoid conflict with the U.S. Constitution, which states that the House should be made up of representatives chosen by the “several states.”
Thus, the amendment only allows the delegates from Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico to cast a vote in the “Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union,” a means by which the House expedites consideration of certain legislation, particularly amendments.
Guam Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo nonetheless welcomed the change, saying this will enable Guam to have “more meaningful participation” in Congress.
Under the new rule, delegates will now have the opportunity during the Committee of the Whole to more fully participate in the legislative process on the House floor.
In addition, the delegates will be able to offer amendments and vote in favor or against amendments to legislation considered on the House floor in the Committee of the Whole.
“Delegates will once again be able to participate in a more active way in the Committee of the Whole and the amendment process that occurs on major legislation. We will have a symbolic vote and we will be able to express the voices of our constituents. I look forward to using my voting card in the next Committee of the Whole debate on legislation in the future,” Bordallo said.
“This is symbolic. The delegates know it. But it is an opportunity for them to participate,” said Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md.
“It’s simply the right thing to do. We can make this small step toward inclusion of all Americans,” added Del. Donna Christensen, D-USVI.
The change is effective immediately and will be in place at least for the duration of the 110th Congress or until such time as the House may otherwise amend its rules.
However, the amendment may still be challenged by Republican lawmakers in court.
The Republicans argue that the change is unconstitutional, since none of the territories are states.
They also argue that the amendment would give Democrats an unfair advantage since four of the five delegates are Democrats.
“This is a significant step back in voting rights in this country,” Conference Chairman Adam Putnam, R-Fla, said.
Minority Whip Roy Blunt, R-Mo., also argued that there is a constitutional process to become a state.
“Except for 1993 and 1994, nobody who didn’t represent a state ever voted on the floor of the House,” Blunt said.
The delegates’ right to vote in the Committee of the Whole was removed by the Republican majority in the 104th Congress in 1995. The Democrats imposed the rule the last time they were in power during the 1993-95 session.