There's been renewed talk lately of something that's been a perennial topic of discussion on the 13th Floor for years: a vote in Congress for D.C.
As you probably know, the residents of the District of Columbia --despite paying federal taxes -- don't have a vote in the House or Senate. (Isn't there a phrase for that?)
But a plan to give D.C. a voting member in the House is receiving new attention. The deal would add two seats to the House, balancing what would be D.C.'s solidly Democratic vote with a solidly Republican new district in Utah. (Utah just barely missed qualifying for a new seat following the 2000 Census).
In a post-election press conference a couple weeks ago, President Bush said he would consider the plan, the first time he's acknowledged it. And Utah's moving ahead, with lawmakers a couple weeks ago appointing a committee to draft a plan for adding a district to the state.
This, of course, is all terribly exciting. As a resident of the District, being taxed without representation is a pretty tough pill to swallow.
So for all the momentum this idea seems to be gaining, I say "huzzah." And to all the people working to make this a reality, I say "thank you."
But I also say this: "Now what?" Getting representation in the House is fantastic and everything -- don't get me wrong. But everybody talks about this plan like it's the solution to D.C.'s representation problem.
It's not. It's a good start, but what about the Senate? You know, the other arm of Congress? The one that confirms presidential nominees?
I love all this talk about a D.C. congressional representative. But I'd like to hear some talk about a couple of D.C. senators, too.
Zach Patton -- Executive Editor. Zach has written about a range of topics, including social policy issues and urban planning and design. Originally from Tennessee, he joined GOVERNING as a staff writer in 2004. He received the 2011 Jesse H. Neal Award for Outstanding Journalism
E-mail: zpatton@governing.com 
Written and compiled by staff writers and editors, GOVERNING View is an on-the-ground, and sometimes behind-the-scenes, look at the topics we're covering in print and online. From notes on what's up in statehouses, county courthouses and city halls, to encounters with people, places and things, GOVERNING View is a window into the side of state and local government you don't always see.
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