Stacey Plaskett Challenges Lack of Voting Rights for U.S. Territories in House

The Virgin Islands delegate criticized Congress for excluding representatives of U.S. territories and D.C. from key votes, highlighting a 'colonies problem.'

Delegate Stacey Plaskett from the U.S. Virgin Islands protested the exclusion of territorial representatives from the House speaker vote, citing the lack of voting rights for 4 million Americans.
Plaskett’s remarks emphasized the historical marginalization of U.S. territories, describing the situation as a 'colonies problem' that has become a permanent issue despite its intended temporary nature.
Her comments, met with boos from Republicans and applause from Democrats, were partially silenced when her microphone was cut off during her speech.
House rules currently prevent nonvoting delegates and the resident commissioner-elect from participating in the election of the House speaker, a policy Plaskett publicly criticized as unjust.
The viral moment has reignited conversations about representation and voting rights for U.S. territories, with Plaskett urging action to address the systemic inequities.