The Federal Strategy · Section 1

A Century of American Citizenship. Still Waiting for American Rights.

For more than one hundred years, Virgin Islanders have been denied full democratic participation. We are U.S. citizens — yet we cannot vote for President, and our representative in Congress cannot cast the deciding vote on the laws that govern our lives. The century-old Insular Cases continue to justify unequal treatment under federal law. That doctrine was wrong when it was written, and it is indefensible today.

Janelle's Federal Strategy

A Coordinated Federal Civil-Rights Strategy

• Introduce legislation to expand the practical authority and procedural influence of the Delegate — recognizing existing committee voting rights while addressing limitations in final passage.
• Advance congressional hearings examining the continued application of the Insular Cases.
• Build a unified coalition across the U.S. territories.
• Partner with the Congressional Black Caucus to elevate territorial disenfranchisement as a civil-rights issue.
• Activate the Virgin Islands diaspora to advocate within their own congressional districts.