Statement on joint House Committee hearing on DC elections

Washington DC — On June 7, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Accountability as well as the House Administration Committee are scheduled to convene a hearing titled, “American Confidence in Elections: The Path to Election Integrity in the District of Columbia.” As today’s hearing gets under way, leaders of the Hands Off DC coalition issued the following statements:

“Congress’s interference in the revised criminal code and police reform were never about our safety, and today’s hearing is just the same,” said Makia Green, core organizer with Hands Off DC and co-conductor of Harriet’s Wildest Dreams. “Conservatives have used voter suppression for decades to maintain power and control, especially over Black and Brown communities. That’s absolutely what’s at work here — nothing else.”

“DC’s voter turnout hit a 20-year high in 2022. That’s something to be proud of,” said Alex Dodds, core organizer with Hands Off DC and chair of DC for Democracy. “Today’s hearing of the House Oversight Committee will be another attempt to stoke fear of Black and Brown cities, because fear is the only tool Republicans have. Our demand remains #HandsOffDC.”

The Hands Off DC coalition includes more than 50 organizations united in solidarity for DC autonomy and self-rule. Learn more at hands-off-dc.com.