U.S. Virgin Islands Delegate Stacey Plaskett raised concerns about the nonvoting status of the Virgin Islands and other U.S. territories during a recent House session. Plaskett, a Democrat, questioned why delegates from the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia were not allowed to participate in the House speaker vote, representing a combined population of approximately four million Americans.
Plaskett highlighted that these territories have a significant number of veterans per capita, emphasizing the need for their voices to be heard in the political process. However, the House clerk clarified that only representatives-elect are eligible to vote for the House speaker, as per the House Rules and Manual.
