McCollum Vote on H.J. Res. 24 and H.J. Res. 26

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H. J. Res. 24 and H. J. Res. 26 which would nullify legislation enacted by the D.C. Council.

Our constituents did not elect us to get involved in the local politics of our nation's capital city. Yet, House Republicans think it's appropriate to waste Congress's time to weigh in on D.C. politics instead of getting to work for the American people to cap insulin costs for everyone, make the wealthiest and the biggest corporations pay their fair share in taxes, or strengthen Social Security and Medicare.

The topic of H.J.Res. 26 is a dispute between the Mayor of D.C. and the D.C. Council, and Congress should not be involved. Congress does not have the authority to pass such a resolution for Minnesota or any other state—a power it would not have over D.C. and its 700,000 residents if it was rightly granted statehood.

Mr. Speaker, it is telling that a month into the 118th Congress, House Republicans have nothing to offer the American public but to waste their time with political stunts like this.

It should be rejected, and I yield back.