Senators Vote to Consider D.C. Voting Rights Bill

For the first time in more than 30 years, a D.C. voting rights bill is headed to the Senate floor, after attracting enough votes to cross a key procedural threshold.

Senators decided this morning, by a 62 to 34 tally, to consider the bill, which would give the District its first seat ever in the House of Representatives, the Post's Mary Beth Sheridan reports.

The debate could start as early as this afternoon on the bill itself. Eight Republicans voted to proceed with the bill, including two surprises: Sens. Thad Cochran (Miss.) and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska). One Republican, who had indicated that he would vote yes, Robert Bennett (Utah), voted no.

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