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USVI's Del. Stacey E. Plaskett questions rule preventing OTs & D.C from voting

-says there is a 'territories & colonies problem'
Del. Stacey E. Plaskett has challenged the rule that prevents delegated from the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, the U.S Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia from voting for House Speaker. Photo: MSNBC
Del. Stacey E. Plaskett received a standing ovation from her colleagues after her parliamentary inquiry as to why delegates from the overseas territories and the District of Columbia are not allowed to vote for Speaker of the House. Photo: MSNBC
Del. Stacey E. Plaskett received a standing ovation from her colleagues after her parliamentary inquiry as to why delegates from the overseas territories and the District of Columbia are not allowed to vote for Speaker of the House. Photo: MSNBC
WASHINGTON DC, USA- Del. Stacey E. Plaskett, the non-voting Democratic delegate from the U.S Virgin Islands (USVI), has challenged the rule that prevents delegates from the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, the U.S Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia from voting for House Speaker.

During the opening of the 119th Congress today, Friday, January 3, 2025, Del. Plaskett stood after the first roll call vote to make a parliamentary inquiry as to why delegates from the overseas territories and the District of Columbia are not allowed to vote for Speaker of the House.

She said the population in these overseas territories amounts to over four million Americans and collectively represents the largest number of veterans per capita in the country adding, “I ask why they were not called?”

House rules prevent OTs and DC from voting

Her question was answered by Acting House Clerk Kevin F. McCumber who simply stated that the House rules do not allow these territories to vote.

“Delegates Elect and the Representative Commissioner Elect are not qualified to vote. Representatives Elect are the only individuals qualified to vote in the election of the Speaker as provided in Section 26 of the House Rules and Manual- the Speaker is elected by a majority of the Members Elect voting by surname,” Mr McCumber explained.   

In response, Del Plaskett said, “This body and this nation has a territories and a colonies problem. What was supposed to be temporary has now effectively become permanent. We must do something about this problem.”

She received a standing ovation from her colleagues. Several people took to X to celebrate her bravery.

“I love that Stacey Plaskett just rose to object to the territories (including PR and DC) being unable to vote for Speaker,” one user wrote sharing a clip from the House on X. 

15 Responses to “USVI's Del. Stacey E. Plaskett questions rule preventing OTs & D.C from voting”

  • Citizen (03/01/2025, 16:57) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    You go girl fight for your rights
    • To citizen (04/01/2025, 08:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      She’s fighting for the rights of the citizens of the Overseas Territories and The District of Columbia.
      I for one was surprised to learn that, collectively, they have the highest per capita number of veterans in the country.
  • scat (03/01/2025, 18:00) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Way to represent Stacey!!
  • Stealth (03/01/2025, 18:35) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    ‘Insular cases’’, a series of early 1900 SCOTUS created the the Incorporation Doctrine, creating two types of territories. Incorporated, which guarantees a smooth path to statehood with citizens have full rights to all privileges under the constitution. The other unincorporated, which includes overseas territories, not contiguous to the mainland, ie, Puerto Rico, USVI , etc. Shamefully and insultingly, it was ruled that people in unincorporated territories were uncivilized and were of the alien class. The US owned these territories but they are not fully part of the US. The attitude demonstrates full rights don’t fully follow the flag. The full citizenship is also demonstrated by residents not being able to vote fior president from their homelands as residents in the )0 states, non voting rights in the House of Representatives, no US senators in the US Senate, not entitled to SSI while residing in the territories, some trade in and from Puerto Rico is viewed as domestic, but international.
  • resident (03/01/2025, 22:55) Like (8) Dislike (13) Reply
    she made herself look like a moron, she isn't a real congresswoman because the virgin islands is not a state, the clerk even read her the exact rule and she still acted so ghetto
    • To resident (04/01/2025, 08:45) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      This woman served on the January 6 Committee. She has the right to speak her mind.
  • local boy (03/01/2025, 23:34) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Colonialism is alive in the United States and United Kingdom.
  • --------------------------- (03/01/2025, 23:39) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
    we need a strong women like her in the BVI
  • Rattler (04/01/2025, 00:15) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Strike, Strike, and Strike again. Puerto Rico and Puerto Rican’s have been shafted, short- changed, disriminsted agsinst in its statehood pursuit. Puerto Rico has been a territory longer than most states which have attained statehood ststus. Puerto Rico was on the fast track as an incorporated territory for dtstehood. Being an incorporated territory was the precursor for statehood, save for Puerto Rico. However, the US Supreme Court with its convenient incorporation doctrine drove a dagger through the heart of Puerto Rico becoming a state. Consequently, Puerto Rico is languishing as the oldest territory in history ( 400 years under Spain, 100+ under tge US). The external territories citizens, Puerto Rico, USVI , Guam, Northern Marianas, and American Samoa are US Citizens ( Samoans are US nationsls) but don’t have same rights as US citizens on the mainland. The following countries have free association withbtge US, viz, Palau,The Marshall Islands and Federated Ststes of Micronesia.. in George Orwell’s classic Animal Farm, the animals inntge end proclaimed that all animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others. Overseas territories delegates are not included in the Electoral College count ( count comprise 100 senators, 435 house reps and 3 reps from DC) for deciding the president.Delegates cannot vote on the House floor. Basically, the territories are owned by the US but They are not a full part of US with full rights and privileges. The US was founded on not recognizing all its citizens. At the founding, slaves were not recognized as human beings. Remember tge 3/5 Missouri compromise. Has any one ever seen 3/5 of a person. Some still harbour those beliefs and wishbtgey could go back to those time. Conservatism is about originalism, ie, keeping things as they were.
    • Mbviga (04/01/2025, 08:42) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      puerto rico recently had a vote for statehood and they rejected it, most likely because they know their taxes would go way up if they became a state
  • Bunker (ACC) (04/01/2025, 07:39) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    Very admirable Delegate Plaskett. You are a courageous black woman and a voice for change in a Colonial system.
  • guy hill (04/01/2025, 08:00) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Colonialism keeps your mind in prison. You want Democracy. That exclusion in the voting is tantamount to the once legislation where the black man was considered 3/5 of a man in Amerika. Acting clerk McCumber was just passing the buck in his weak response. This is wrong on so many fronts. Keep pressing on Ms.Plaskett. Thy will be done.
  • Kingfish (04/01/2025, 11:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ms.: Plaskett is 1000% correct and the entire Domocratic Party should fight to change this racist regulation. I would encourage Ms.: Plaskett to also address her position the Delegate from the US Virgin Islands and not the VIRGIN ISLANDS.
  • JMC (04/01/2025, 11:23) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    All: Would Virgin/Mariana Islands prefer independence? I’m doubting it. Puerto Rico recently voted for statehood in a referendum where 60% voted, yet interestingly enough the decision to remain a territory was not one of the options voters were given. Unfortunately, the United States does not allow individuals to demand statehood (or any other voting status). And that was the last shown in 1959 with Alaska and Hawaii when Congress afforded them statehood. All one has to do, when considering the recent illegal immigration, is contemplate all the other countries that might demand statehood….if only their citizens were allowed to vote themselves in!!
  • E. Leonard (04/01/2025, 15:04) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Colonialism /imperialism is the subjugation by force of a stronger, powerful nations over weaker, less powerful nations and people in far away lands, exploiting their lands, people, and resources, benefiting the more powerful countries. Colonialism is exclusive, racial superior, abuse, exploitive, etc. National Geographic defined it as: “ Colonialism is defined as, “control by one power over a dependent area or people.” It occurs when one nation subjugates another, conquering its population and exploiting it, often while forcing its own language and cultural values upon its people.” The American citizens in the Overseas Territories of Puerto Rico, Guam, USVI, American Samoa, and Northern Marianas don’t enjoy the same full rights and privileges as other Americans residing in the 50 states, eg, the ability to vote for president from the territories, though the president and commander -in/Chief can send them into battle to fight for and protect the rights, freedoms, liberties, democracy, etc, which we have grown to enjoy, feel entitled to, and taken for granted. Rights and privileges should follow the flag, not depend on where one resides, as indicated by the ‘Insular Cases’ a series of early 1900 SCOTUS landmark cases which outlined the rights, privileges, and benefits of Americans residing in Overseas territories which are still in effect.


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