U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Hoover) lauded the passage of legislation that would block Washington, D.C., from allowing non-citizens to vote in elections.

The Council of the District of Columbia approved the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act in 2022, beginning the process of letting noncitizens, who are residents of the nation’s capital, vote in local elections starting in 2024.

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The bill to block that effort passed the U.S. House Tuesday night by a 266 to 148 vote, with 56 Democrats joining Republicans in passing the measure.

PASSED! We have secured DC elections in the House of Representatives.

148 democrats voted to allow noncitizens to vote in DC. Outrageous! https://t.co/z0E8IAZAdn pic.twitter.com/tR2fPDUgot

— Oversight Committee (@GOPoversight) June 10, 2025

“It’s commonsense – Noncitizens should not be voting in U.S. elections,” Palmer said before the vote. “I look forward to voting in favor of H.R. 884 tonight to restore confidence in D.C. elections.”

It’s commonsense – Noncitizens should not be voting in U.S. elections.

I look forward to voting in favor of H.R. 884 tonight to restore confidence in D.C. elections.

Thank you @RepPfluger for your leadership on this issue! https://t.co/iJtHIGkrq1

— Gary Palmer (@USRepGaryPalmer) June 10, 2025

The legislation was introduced by Rep. August Pfluger (R-Texas).

“Free and fair elections are a prerequisite for a healthy republic,” Pfluger said in a statement. “The radical DC Council’s decision to allow noncitizens—including illegal aliens and foreign agents—to vote in local elections dilutes the voting power of the citizen voter.”

RELATED: U.S. Supreme Court rules in favor of Virginia to block illegals after voting, backed by Alabama effort

The House passed a similar bill in 2023, but it was blocked in the Senate when Democrats were in control. It has a much better chance on passing now since Republicans hold the majority.

Under the DC Home Rule Act of 1973, the nation’s capital has the ability to elect its own mayor and city council, but Congress has the authority under the Constitution to block or remove local laws.

Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on X @Yaffee