The mayor of Washington, D.C., wants the nation’s capital to become a state. “Each year, we use this historic moment to renew our push for full democracy and statehood for the residents of the District of Columbia”. According to the st, since the District is not a full-fledged state, Congress treats it as a federal entity and therefore has to sign off on its budget.
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“It’s going to require that we send a bold message to the Congress and the rest of the country, that we demand not only a vote in the House of Representatives”. Proponents say the bill is the city’s best shot at statehood, while opponents deride it as an unconstitutional attempt to get two more Democratic senators in the chamber.
Bowser said Friday that D.C. voters face injustice because their “zip codes” restrict them from having a voice in Congress. Washington residents have the right to representation from lawmakers “stolen” from them, she said. Tennessee, a federal territory like the nation’s capital, was admitted under a plan that required the territory’s residents to approve a state constitution and form a republic-style government, the Post said, adding that admission had otherwise involved ratification by existing states. Bowser also called for a citywide vote on the matter at a gathering of Democratic and civil rights leaders and D.C. residents, The Washington Post reports, an event that took place at around the same time that protesters were descending on D.C.to rally for statehood. Since D.C.is a liberal stronghold, if it were to achieve statehood that could also help Democrats consolidate power in Congress. However, Bowser said Friday that the issue should not be a partisan one.
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The frustration for D.C. residents is that Congress can change the City Council’s budget or impose its own policy legislation on hot-button issues such as restrictions on guns or marijuana. “Can you believe that?”
