DC EQUALITY AMENDMENT
Draft Text 6/4/02
For purposes of discussion only, the language of an
equal constitutional rights amendment for DC residents is set forth as
follows:
Section 1. All US citizens who are permanent residents
of the District of Columbia shall be treated as residents of a state for
all constitutional intents and purposes, enjoying those same rights,
powers and privileges as the people of the several states, including:
- The right to equal representation in the House of Representatives
[under Article 1.] - The right to equal representation in the U.S. Senate [under the
Seventeenth Amendment.] - The right to a republican form of government [under Article 4].
- The right to all Constitutional powers and privileges [under the
Tenth Amendment.] - The right to equal protection [under the Fourteenth Amendment.]
- The right to elect equal electors for President and Vice President
[under Article 2.]
Section 2. Congress shall limit its power to exercise
its "exclusive legislation" over the District of Columbia under
Article 1, Section 8, paragraph 17 of the constitution to the following
geographical areas, except in the case of a compelling national interest:
- The National Capital Service Area (NCSA).
- All foreign embassies and missions.
Section 3. The Federal Height Act of 1910 shall remain
in full force and effect, unless amended, modified, or repealed by
Congress.
Section 4. General services may be provided to the
federal government by the District of Columbia government on an as needed
basis on such terms as are mutually satisfactory to the parties. Nothing
shall prevent the federal government from compensating the District of
Columbia in the form of a payment in lieu of taxes for revenues foregone
as the seat of national government.
Section 5. The federal government shall continue to
hold jurisdiction over and provide for the District of Columbia’s courts
and correctional facilities, until such time as the District by mutual
agreement with Congress shall pay for and administer these facilities. At
such time, they shall come under the exclusive authority of the District
of Columbia government.
Section 6. The twenty-third article of amendment to the
Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.
Section 7. Congress shall have the power to enforce
this article by appropriate legislation.
See also, Response to Questions
about the DC Equality Amendment