Obama Hasn't Changed Limo License Plates
More than three weeks into Mr. Obama's presidential term, however, the presidential limousine has not been outfitted with the "Taxation Without Representation" license plates that have become the most visible protest of the city's lack of voting representation in Congress.
A spokesman told CBS News White House Correspondent Mark Knoller that the president hasn't decided against using the plates.
It's "just something that the president hasn't gotten to yet," said the spokesman.
For now, he added, Mr. Obama is "still using the plates used by the previous president."
President Bill Clinton had the plates installed on the presidential limousine while he was in office, but President George W. Bush had them removed during his term.
The District Of Columbia is currently represented in the House by delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, a non-voting member. The D.C. House Voting Rights Act, which today cleared the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, would give a House vote to D.C. as well as a fourth vote to Utah, which fell just short of getting an additional vote following the last census.
The bill passed the House last year but fell 3 votes short of the 60 votes necessary to get the legislation through the Senate.
Jaline Quinto, Communications Manager for voting rights advocate group DC Vote, told Hotsheet that her group is "pretty optimistic" that the District will get its vote this year. The group also believes D.C. should have two senators and legislative autonomy.
Quinto called the president's decision not to install the plates before the Inaugural parade a "missed opportunity."
She argued that installing the plates "is an important way for him to show his support for D.C. voting rights, and send a message to millions of people" about the fact that District residents do not have a vote in Congress.