WASHINGTON - Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (web | news | bio) (D-DC) and Senators Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) have simultaneously re-introduced a bill to grant a vote in the House of Representatives to the District of Columbia.

"It's hard to believe we deny the residents of our nation's capital in the House of Representatives," Lieberman, ID-Conn. said. 

Last year, a similar bill passed the House but failed the Senate by three votes. Now, the bill's supporters express optimism about its chances in the new session.

"We have a president who'll sign the bill. He co-sponsored the bill when he was senator. We have a large majority in the House and we have an estimated 65 votes in the Senate," Norton, D-D.C. said.

In addition to the vote for D.C, the bill would also provide another vote to Utah, which narrowly missed earning another seat in the last census.

In the district where the license plates complain of taxation without representation, residents said they are still unsure if the bill will pass.

"Well better than we've ever had in the past. I'm still pretty skeptical," said Phil Kline, a D.C. resident.

Even the city's mayor was hesitant. "I do think there's a better chance but you never count your chickens before they hatch," Mayor Fenty said.

The measure does have support. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told the Congressional Black Caucus Tuesday she hoped this will be the last swearing in when D.C. did not have a full House vote.

This bill would also increase the number of permanent seats in the House of Representatives to 437, the first such increase in 96 years.

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