In case you haven’t heard yet, the U.S. Mint rejected the designs submitted by Mayor Fenty for the DC Quarter.

It’s frustrating that the U.S. Mint would outright reject the designs submitted by Mayor Fenty. If New Hampshire can have the slogan “Live Free or Die” on their quarter, I don’t see why the District can’t have “Taxation Without Representation”. Both slogans and ideals were fundamental in the founding of this nation — even if the promise of the latter is still being fought for in the District.

I’m glad we submitted those designs - the more opportunities to talk about this issue on a national scale, the better. Mayor submits designs, U.S. Mint rejects them, Mayor gets to tell everybody why, more people understand our situation in DC. Lather, rinse, repeat…the more times we can run through that cycle, the better!

What do you think?

Yesterday there was a hearing in Lieberman’s Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. For anyone who follows this stuff, it was your standard fare. A lot of the same testimony from the same people.

I really liked Norton’s testimony. This is woman was definately not going through the motions. She even brought up the Colbert Report’s joke about her and Tom Davis having an affair. (Here’s the clip from the show.) Jack Kemp was awesome yesterday, and I think he will play a key role in getting the fence sitting Republicans to side with the bill.

I wanted to hear how GOP Senators Collins, Warner, and Coleman were going come down on the bill, but alas that did not happen. I was especially curious about Collins as Lieberman endorsed her and is raising money for her - much to the chagrin of the blogosphere.

Liberman says they’ll be a mark-up sometime after Memorial Day recess. Stay tuned…

(Note: Metroblogging DC is having a contest for a caption for the photo above. More details here.)

Today the U.S. House passed the DC Voting Rights Act. It was an historic day as it was the first time since the 70’s that the House has passed anything related to giving the District a full vote in the House. The bill passed 241 to 177, and the companion bill that would fund the new seat passed by a vote of 216 to 203.

I have to give credit to DC Vote, Jake Kemp, Congresswoman Norton, Congressman Tom Davis, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, and Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Together they the made sure this bill was re-introduced in this Congress, overcame the numerous hurdles thrown at it, and ensured it passed the necessary committees and the full House chamber.

I echo the statement made by Mayor Fenty:

“This is a great and historic day for the residents of the District of Columbia. I look forward to the continued success of the D.C. Voting Rights Act and urge the Senate to take up this important legislation immediately.”

The next steps are getting it through the Senate and, of course, getting the President to sign it. But for now the victory is the House is something to savor.

I’m writing another reminder to get ready to march in support of DC voting rights today.

The march is on rain or shine (or wind). . . so please be sure to dress appropriately. The meeting point is Freedom Plaza at 13th and Pennsylvania Avenues, NW at 2:30 p.m.

The best Metro stops are Metro Center or Federal Triangle.

After some quick speeches by Mayor Fenty, Chairman Gray, and Congresswoman Norton we’ll march down Pennsylvania Avenue to the Capitol and rally in support of efforts to give DC a real vote in the House of Representatives.

If you can’t get out of work to make the march, please consider leaving early and meet us at the Capitol reflecting pool at Pennsylvania and 3rd Street NW around 4:00.

An old boss of mine in the non-profit world used to use the expression a lot. I think it’s a very fitting expression for the coordinated efforts of the DC voting rights community today. My hat is off to DC Vote for coordinating the whole event, which I thought was great. I’ve worked on these “lobby days” before for other groups and when things go as smoothly as they did today, it’s because someone was sweating the details…and DC Vote did just that.

It was a great sight this morning as hundreds of people assembled in the Cannon Caucus room to hear introductory remarks from Mayor Fenty, Chairman Gray, and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton. Dozens of people who work so hard on this issue were on Capitol Hill today lobbying in support of H.R. 328. It was cool to see the “real” Washington showing up to lobby the “official” Washington.

I captained a team of people today and we had a number of meetings with Congressional staff. We would brief them about the bill, ask if they had any questions and inquire about their boss’s stance if they knew it.
Our “asks” in these meeting were:

• Can you help get it through the Judiciary Committee?
• Would your boss like to co-sponsor the bill?

You never get firm commitments from staffers (they can’t speak for their boss if he/she hasn’t taken a stance yet) but we had a lot of positive signals in our meetings and I think we may have actually picked up a few co-sponsors today.

Overall, it was a very positive day and I think we moved the ball downfield on the issue.

Update: Here is the Post’s coverage:

Seeking A Vote On Vote For D.C.
Hundreds Gather To Persuade Lawmakers
Were you there? What was your impression of the day? Please comment below.