Power-Hungry Democrats Introduce Bill To Make Washington, DC The 51st State
Democrats in Congress are making another attempt to turn Washington D.C. into the 51st state of the United States with the reintroduction of legislation passed by the House last year that didn’t make it through the then GOP-controlled Senate.
“There’s never been a time when statehood for the District was more likely,” said Eleanor Holmes Norton, a Democrat who represents the District of Columbia, who reintroduced the proposal.
2/ Generations of Washingtonians have been denied the right to participate in our democracy – to have their voices and votes heard in Congress, to help shape the future of our nation, and to have a say on Supreme Court justices.
— Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) January 27, 2021
Norton argued that the bill was passed by the House in 2020 for the first time ever and now had a “record” of 202 other lawmakers co-sponsoring the measure. She noted that the likelihood of Washington D.C.’s statehood is also higher with its Senate companion bill gaining more support.
“We’re ready to achieve voting representation and full local self-government for the 712,000+ residents of the District of Columbia,” Norton said.
We look forward to hearing about #DCStatehood from the White House.
The 712,000 residents stand ready to make our case. #DCStatehood is the only solution and remedy for a full and equal democracy!
Democracy for all Americans 🇺🇸💙❤️ pic.twitter.com/HUL7lQYJuG— DCstatehood51 (@DCstatehood51) January 21, 2021
Meanwhile, despite the proposal expected to easily pass in the Democrat-led House once again, its chances in the Senate is slimmer. Democrats, who also now control the majority of the Senate with a 50-50 split, and Vice President Kamala Harris casting the tie-breaking votes in favor of Democrats — will still have to overcome a filibuster, with the legislation requiring 60 votes to pass.
For this to happen, Democrats need to convince at least 10 Republican lawmakers to side with them in the vote.
News reports said House Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, have both committed to bringing the bill for a vote.
Norton argued that with Democrats controlling Congress and a Democratic President in the White House, there will be more likelihood for such plans to flourish.”
“This is the time we can finally correct this historic injustice and give DC residents the same rights as other taxpaying Americans, Rep. Norton said.
Despite this push, many lawmakers have already been opposing moves to designate DC as a new state — arguing that this would just mean additional votes for Democrats.
“With the Senate companion bill also gaining co-sponsors, ‘we’re ready to achieve voting representation and full local self-government for the 712,000+ residents of the District of Columbia,” she said.
#WeAreDC: 712k residents without voting representation in Congress. Thank you Senator @ChrisVanHollen for your support! #DCStatehood https://t.co/INhGDAzFeR
— Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) January 27, 2021
Carper went on to say that the statehood isn’t “a Republican or Democratic issue.”
“It’s an American issue because the lack of fair representation given to the residents of D.C. is inconsistent with the values on which this country was founded,” he said.
“It is therefore incumbent upon all of us who enjoy the right and the privilege of full voting rights and representation to take up the cause of our fellow citizens in the District of Columbia,” he added.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, also a Democrat, lauded the efforts on the statehood of Washington D.C.
“Generations of Washingtonians have been denied the right to participate in our democracy — to have their voices and votes heard in Congress, to help shape the future of our nation, and to have a say on Supreme Court justices,” she wrote on Twitter.
