To War Without a Vote

Thursday, September 27, 2001; Page A26

SEPT. 14 was a fateful moment in the House of Representatives. In one of the few times in the nation's history, members of the House voted overwhelmingly to empower the president to bring the full force of America's power against terrorists responsible for the Sept. 11 attacks, and against those who have provided aid and safe harbor. But one member of the House -- ironically a representative whose congressional district quite probably was also an intended target on Sept. 11 -- was forced to stand by and watch as the full House voted 420 to 1 to authorize the president to commit American armed forces, including the member's own constituents, into combat. We refer to the delegate from the District of Columbia, Eleanor Holmes Norton.

This week, as part of the mobilization authorized by President Bush, a unit of the D.C. Army National Guard was called to active duty. Undoubtedly other local units with District residents may be also mobilized in response to the terrorist attacks. As District residents have done in the past, these newly mobilized men and women will serve, and serve honorably. The District has sent more of its citizens into military service than many states. And as occurs every year at tax time, District residents are likely to pay a higher share of taxes to finance this war effort than some states. The roster of the dead from the monstrous Sept. 11 attacks contains the names of several District residents who also made the ultimate sacrifice. And yet, when the moment arrived in Congress to authorize the use of the armed forces against those responsible for the attacks on our homeland, the District was struck silent: no vote in the House -- and no vote or voice in the Senate. That is so wrong, so unfair, so undemocratic.