United States congressional non-voting members
The origin of non-voting delegates in the U.S. House of Representatives goes back to the Continental Congress when they established the Northwest Ordinance in 1787. Most of the Delegates would represent territories that would go on to become states, but this has not always been the case. Following the Spanish-American War in 1898, Congress established the position of Resident Commissioner. This position was created to allow for representation of the territories that had a different relationship with the federal government than those territories that were on the path to statehood. Puerto Rico gained representation in Congress by way of its Resident Commissioner in 1900. The Philippines was also represented by two Resident Commissioners until its independence from the U.S. in 1946.[1]
With Alaska and Hawaii being admitted as states in 1959, Puerto Rico was the only territory left with representation in Congress. This would change in 1970, when Congress allowed the District of Columbia to elect a Delegate. This privilege was extended to Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands in 1972, American Samoa in 1978, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in elections for the 111th Congress in 2008.[1]
Delegates are able to perform many of the functions of a full representative, such as serve on committees, speak on the U.S. House floor, introduce bills, and offer amendments. However, they are not able to vote while conducting business as the Committee as the Whole or on final passage of legislation. Delegates to the U.S. House serve two-year terms. The Resident Commissioner functions are similar to the delegates, except that they serve a four-year term.[2]
Current members
American Samoa
| Office | Name | Date assumed office |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. House American Samoa At-large District | Aumua Amata Radewagen | January 3, 2015 |
District of Columbia
| Office | Name | Date assumed office |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. House Non-Voting Delegate District of Columbia | Eleanor Holmes Norton | January 3, 1991 |
Guam
Northern Mariana Islands
| Office | Name | Date assumed office |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. House Northern Mariana Islands At-large District | Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan | January 3, 2009 |
Puerto Rico
| Office | Name | Date assumed office |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico | Jenniffer González-Colón | January 3, 2017 |
U.S. Virgin Islands
| Office | Name | Date assumed office |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. House Virgin Islands At-large District | Stacey Plaskett | January 3, 2015 |
See also
- United States Congress
- United States House of Representatives
- Shadow Congresspersons
- Washington, D.C.
- U.S. Territories
External links
- U.S. House Clerk FAQ
- CRS Report for Congress on Delegates to the U.S. Congress: History and Current Status
Footnotes
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