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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsSenate Democrats reintroduce DC statehood bill
A group of Senate Democrats led by Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) reintroduced legislation to give Washington, D.C., statehood on Wednesday, marking the first major effort to push toward statehood since the Capitol riot earlier this month.
The bill, which was first introduced in 2013, would give citizens of the District full authority over local issues, as well as grant them full representation in Congress.
"This isnt a Republican or Democratic issue; its an American issue because the lack of fair representation for D.C. residents is clearly inconsistent with the values on which this country was founded," Carper said in a statement.
Washington, D.C., is home to roughly 700,000 residents, a population that is larger than both Wyoming and Vermont. However, Republicans argue the effort is a push to expand Democratic interests on Capitol Hill.
Critics also argue that the push goes against the 23rd Amendment, which gives D.C. residents the right to vote in presidential elections, but gives them as much say as the least populous State.
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/536052-senate-democrats-reintroduce-dc-statehood-bill
no_hypocrisy
(46,178 posts)mcar
(42,372 posts)Or, it could split into a few cities.
getagrip_already
(14,837 posts)They have a larger population than either wyoming or vermont and have no voting reps in congress.
Celerity
(43,496 posts)around the Capitol and White House. That will be DC.
One problem is the 23rd Amendment guarantees DC 3 electorall college votes, and the only possible legal residents in the new Federal enclave would be tye POTUS and their spouse (if they have one). A seperate law needs to be passed making it illegal to register to vote in the federal enclave OR (much harder) the 23rd Amendment needs to be repealed or modified or a new Amendment passed nullifying it.