DC Statehood will end grave injustices to the people who live in our nation’s capital. The residents of the District of Columbia pay more federal taxes per person than the residents of any state. Yet, we are denied voting representation in the Congress that determines how our taxes are spent. We have no voice on national policy or who is in the President’s cabinet or on the Supreme Court.
Washingtonians have fought and died in every war since the Revolution of 1776, but no one representing people in the District of Columbia has participated in the decision to send our sons and daughters to war.
Our quest for statehood is not only about voting representation in Congress It is also about securing the autonomy of our local government. DC is the only city in the United States where local laws and budgets can and have been overturned by Congress. The Constitution gives Congress control over the federal district “that is the government of the United States.” Members of Congress have exploited this authority to impose their will throughout our local government—in health, public safety, education, transportation, and elections.
The 700,000 residents of DC are ready and eager for statehood. We have more people than the states of Vermont and Wyoming. Our economy is solid. DC has balanced its budgets year-after-year for over 20 years and now enjoys a credit rating that is the envy of states and cities across the country.
In November of 2016, 86% of DC’s voters approved a referendum on statehood. Statehood for the people of DC is way overdue.
Statehood Stories of DC residents explain why statehood is so important:
Photo: DC for Democracy