Taxation without representation was wrong in 1776 and it is wrong today. The people of D.C. pay more taxes than 22 states and pay more to the federal government than they receive in federal services, but have no voting representation in Congress. Becoming a state ends this injustice.  

D.C. residents bear all the responsibilities of full U.S. citizenship—they serve on juries, in the U.S. military, and work hard to build safe, strong communities where they live. And yet, the 700,000+ people who call D.C. home have no vote on any decisions our Congress makes every day.

Congress has received record support for H.R. 51, legislation that will grant DC statehood. The bill is on its way to the House floor where it could pass a chamber of Congress for the first time in history.

There is some opposition, however. When the House Oversight and Reform Committee met in February to markup and vote out a bill that would grant full representation and self-governance to the people who call DC home, we hoped for a discussion on how to correct a very old wrong. What’s to discuss but the details for ending taxation without representation? What are the arguments against ending this injustice?

Here are some “issues” raised in the Committee meeting:

• Representatives from Ohio, Kentucky and Georgia demanded that if DC becomes a state, no one should have to pay registration fees for gun ownership. By the way, Ohio, Kentucky and Georgia all charge these fees.

• Representatives from West Virginia and Ohio demanded that DC place restrictions on abortion care before becoming a state.

• A Congressperson from Georgia tried to demand that he get to decide how DC’s Governor and State Legislature be chosen.

• And, a Congressperson from SC wants to mandate that DC be a right to work state.

The opponents of Statehood did not address the merits of expanding democracy. Instead, they simply barked outrageous arguments in order to deter and deflect from democracy for EVERYONE.

Statehood for a district that is majority Black and brown, is clearly a racial justice issue. The people of DC deserve a voice in Congress and control over their own local laws and local budget.

Join us to demand democracy for all!