The Washington, D.C. Admission Act establishes a process for Washington, D.C. to become the State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth, while preserving a separate federal district as the seat of the U.S. Government. It addresses the transition of laws, governance, and federal interests, including representation, courts, and ongoing responsibilities.
Eleanor Norton
Representative
DC
The Washington, D.C. Admission Act outlines the process for Washington, D.C., to become the State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth, while establishing a separate U.S. Capital. It addresses the transition of laws, property, and governance, ensuring continued federal operations and representation for D.C. residents. The Act also covers federal responsibilities, courts, elections, and benefit programs during the transition, establishing a commission to oversee the process and mandating presidential certification.
D.C. Statehood Bill Passes: Capital Shrinks, New State Emerges, and 23rd Amendment Faces Repeal
The Washington, D.C. Admission Act lays out a roadmap for the District of Columbia to become the 51st state, named the State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth. This isn't just a name change; it's a complete overhaul of D.C.'s legal status, representation, and relationship with the federal government. The bill shrinks the "Capital" to a small area encompassing federal buildings and monuments, while the rest of D.C. becomes a full-fledged state. It also sets in motion a process to repeal the 23rd Amendment, which currently gives D.C. residents electoral votes in presidential elections.
Carving Out the Capital
The bill carefully defines what remains the "Capital" – essentially, the core federal district around the National Mall, including the White House, Capitol Building, Supreme Court, and key federal offices (Section 112). Everything else becomes the new state. This means that current D.C. laws will apply in two ways: they become federal law within the smaller Capital, and state law within the new Washington, Douglass Commonwealth (Section 114). Think of it like a city suddenly splitting into two: one tiny federal zone, and one much larger state with its own rules.
From D.C. to WDC: The Transition
The transition to statehood involves a carefully orchestrated handover of power. Existing D.C. government employees will shift to equivalent positions in the new state government (Section 121). Federal agencies like the U.S. Marshals Service (Section 313), the Bureau of Prisons (Section 314), and the U.S. Parole Commission (Section 315) will continue their current roles during a transition period, eventually handing over responsibilities to the new state government. This transition is overseen by a Statehood Transition Commission, composed of appointees from the President, Congress, the D.C. Mayor, and the D.C. Council (Section 402). For example, if you're a D.C. resident currently on parole, your supervision will initially remain under the U.S. Parole Commission, but eventually, the new state will take over that responsibility.
Shifting Power and Representation
The biggest impact is on political representation. D.C. residents, who currently have no voting representation in the Senate and only a non-voting Delegate in the House, would gain two Senators and one Representative (Section 102). However, the bill also repeals the law granting D.C. electoral votes in presidential elections (Section 223) and sets up a fast-track process to repeal the 23rd Amendment entirely (Section 224). This is a major point of contention. While gaining full congressional representation is a plus, losing those electoral votes, and potentially having them removed for good, is a significant trade-off.
Potential Sticking Points
One of the most immediate challenges is the expedited procedure for repealing the 23rd Amendment. The bill allows for a quick vote in both the House and Senate, with limited debate and no amendments (Section 224). This could lead to a rapid change in the balance of power at the federal level, potentially without the full deliberation usually given to constitutional amendments. Another area to watch closely is the role of the Statehood Transition Commission. Its broad mandate to advise on the transition could become a source of political maneuvering, depending on how its members interpret their advisory role.