Norton Introduces Resolution to Designate May 1, 2024, as “D.C. Statehood Day”

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced a resolution expressing support for the designation of May 1, 2024, as "D.C. Statehood Day" and calling for statehood for the District through enactment of her Washington, D.C. Admission Act.

"The single idea of 'taxation without representation' that gave rise to the American Revolution still resonates today," Norton said. "D.C. residents pay the highest federal taxes per capita and more federal taxes than 19 states. D.C. residents have fought and died in every war since the Revolution, and they deserve voting representation in Congress and full local self-government.

"Highlighting the District's need for statehood as often as possible only serves to help us reach statehood sooner, and I introduced this resolution to name May 1^st, or 5/1, 'Statehood Day' for this very reason."

The text of the resolution follows.

H. RES. __

Recognizing the disenfranchisement of District of Columbia residents, calling for statehood for the District of Columbia through the enactment of the Washington, D.C. Admission Act, and expressing support for the designation of May 1, 2024, as "D.C. Statehood Day".

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Ms. Norton submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on _______________

RESOLUTION

Recognizing the disenfranchisement of District of Columbia residents, calling for statehood for the District of Columbia through the enactment of the Washington, D.C. Admission Act, and expressing support for the designation of May 1, 2024, as "D.C. Statehood Day".

Whereas the United States was founded on the principles of consent of the governed and no taxation without representation;

Whereas District of Columbia residents are denied voting representation in Congress and full local self-government;

Whereas the District of Columbia pays more per capita Federal taxes than any State and pays more Federal taxes than 19 States;

Whereas statehood would give District of Columbia residents voting representation in Congress and full local self-government;

Whereas Congress has the constitutional authority to pass the District of Columbia statehood bill, the Washington, D.C. Admission Act (H.R. 51 and S. 51), which would admit the State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth and reduce the size of the Federal district;

Whereas the Admissions Clause of the Constitution gives Congress the authority to admit new States, and all 37 new States were admitted by Congress;

Whereas no State would have to consent to the admission of the State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth;

Whereas the District Clause of the Constitution gives Congress plenary authority over the Federal district and establishes a maximum size of the Federal district, but not a minimum size nor a location of the Federal district;

Whereas the 23d Amendment to the Constitution allows the Federal district to participate in the electoral college, while not establishing a minimum size nor a location of the Federal district;

Whereas the Constitution does not establish any prerequisites for new States, but Congress has generally considered 3 factors-

(1) population and resources;

(2) support for statehood; and

(3) commitment to democracy;

Whereas the District of Columbia has a larger population than 2 States;

Whereas the District of Columbia has a larger gross domestic product than 16 States and a higher per capita gross domestic product than any State;

Whereas the District of Columbia has a higher per capita personal income than any State;

Whereas the District of Columbia has a triple-A bond rating;

Whereas 86 percent of District of Columbia residents voted for statehood in 2016; and

Whereas District of Columbia residents have been fighting for voting representation in Congress and full local self-government for more than 200 years: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives-

(1) supports the designation of "D.C. Statehood Day"; and

(2) calls on Congress to pass the Washington, D.C. Admission Act (H.R. 51 and S. 51).

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