Rep. Smith Statement on House Passage of Bill for DC Statehood and Representation

Statement

Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) released the following statement on D.C. statehood after the House passed H.R. 51, the Washington, D.C. Admissions Act:

"Washington, D.C. residents pay federal taxes, serve on juries, and serve our country, yet they are barred from having a vote in Congress. The United States is the only democratic country in the world that denies full democratic rights to citizens because they live in the nation's capital. D.C.'s robust economy, rich culture, and diverse population operate on a budget that is already larger than twelve states and bring in more federal income tax dollars than twenty-one other states. The over 700,000 American citizens who live in the District of Columbia deserve the same voting and representational rights as citizens from every other state in the Union.

"The Washington, D.C. Admission Act would establish the State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth as the 51st state in the Union and finally give residents meaningful political representation and control over local affairs. I am proud to join Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton in strong support of statehood to correct the injustice citizens who live in our nation's capital have faced for decades. The passage of this bill in the House is a step forward in realizing the full promise of our democratic system."

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