Congress Backs D.C. Statehood, Citing 'Taxation Without Representation' for 700,000+ Residents

This Congressional resolution is essentially a formal declaration of support for D.C. statehood. It calls on Congress to pass the Washington, D.C. Admission Act, which would create the new State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth, and shrink the remaining federal district to cover only the core federal buildings. The resolution argues that D.C.’s more than 700,000 residents deserve full voting representation in Congress and self-governance, especially since they pay more federal taxes per capita than any existing state.

The Problem: Paying Taxes, But Not Getting a Say

Imagine paying your full federal tax bill every year—maybe you work in construction, maybe you’re a software developer—but when it comes to voting for the people who decide where that money goes, you get zero votes in the House and Senate. That’s the reality for D.C. residents. This resolution highlights that D.C. residents pay more total federal taxes than 19 states, yet they lack the basic democratic right of having voting representatives in Congress. This isn’t a small issue; it’s the core principle of “taxation without representation” that started the country in the first place, and this resolution aims to fix it by pushing the actual statehood bill forward.

Why D.C. Qualifies: Bigger Than Two States and Richer Than 15

The resolution lays out the case for why D.C. is ready for statehood right now. It points out that the district’s population is larger than both Wyoming and Vermont. Economically, D.C. is a powerhouse; its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is larger than 15 states, and its per capita GDP is higher than any state. For everyday people, this means D.C. is a fully functioning, economically viable entity that meets—and often exceeds—the benchmarks historically considered necessary for statehood. Furthermore, the resolution notes that 86% of D.C. residents voted in favor of statehood in 2016, showing strong local support for the change.

The Mechanics of Statehood: Shrinking the Federal Footprint

The plan outlined in the resolution relies on Congress’s constitutional power to admit new states and adjust the federal district. Currently, the Constitution grants Congress total control over D.C. (the “District Clause”). The Admission Act would use this authority to shrink the federal district to a small area encompassing the Capitol, White House, Supreme Court, and National Mall. Everything else—all the residential neighborhoods, businesses, and local infrastructure—would become the new state. This move is crucial because it resolves the constitutional conflict: the federal government retains control over the seat of government, while the residents gain control over their own lives and government.

What This Means for Everyday Life

If the Washington, D.C. Admission Act passes, the biggest change for D.C. residents is full self-governance. Currently, Congress can overturn D.C.’s local laws, which means local decisions about things like traffic laws, zoning, or even how schools are funded are always subject to federal override. Statehood would end this oversight, giving local officials full authority over local matters. For the rest of the country, it means adding two new senators and a voting representative to the House, shifting the political balance and ensuring that a major U.S. city finally has a voice equal to its economic contribution. The resolution also formally supports designating May 1, 2025, as “D.C. Statehood Day,” marking the push for this major democratic change.