By Brendan Scanland
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Delegate Stacey Plaskett (D- USVI) is making headlines over a recent protest in last week’s vote for Speaker of the House.
After the first roll call vote last Friday, when all members of Congress cast their vote for Speaker, Plaskett addressed the House Clerk and asked why she, and other delegates representing U.S. territories, were not asked to participate in the vote.
During the inquiry, Plaskett noted that the nonvoting delegates represent roughly four million Americans combined. Plaskett said the territories represent “the largest per capita of veterans in this country.”
“The United States has a territories – and a colonies problem – that impacts the 4 million Americans who are residents of those places. I would like to thank my colleagues for their support, and all who have stood in solidarity with the Virgin Islands to amplify the fight for rights in the face of our present territorial status,” said Plaskett in a press release following the inquiry.
In addition to the Virgin Islands, delegates from Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia cannot vote on legislation in the House.
“Each time that we raise our voice and speak to injustices, we can make a difference and a dent. And that’s what I’m here to do. I’m not here to sit idly by and accept the status quo. If that were the case, when I was a freshman ten years ago, I wouldn’t be on the Ways and Means Committee today,” said Plaskett in a recent interview. “It’s by pressing the envelope and believing that we are capable and have the right to every right, privilege and responsibility that comes with being an American.”
Delegates are, however, able to vote in committees and in their respective conferences.
U.S. territories participate in presidential primaries and send delegates to both the Republican and Democratic National conventions to select their party’s candidate. However, territories are not granted electoral college votes. Washington, D.C. is the only non-state that is granted electoral votes.
