Washington, D.C. Admission Act
Washington, D.C. Admission Act
Plain Language Summary
# Washington, D.C. Admission Act Summary **What the Bill Would Do** The D.C. Admission Act would make Washington, D.C. into a new state called "Washington, Douglass Commonwealth." Most of D.C. would become this state and gain full representation in Congress—two senators and one representative. However, a central area containing the Capitol, White House, Supreme Court, and federal monuments would remain separate as the nation's capital under federal control. The new state would operate under current D.C.
laws and follow the same rules as other states, though it cannot tax federal property without congressional approval. **Who It Affects** This bill would primarily affect the approximately 700,000+ residents of D.C., who currently have no voting representation in Congress (only a non-voting delegate). It would also impact federal operations and property management in the reserved capital area. All Americans would be indirectly affected by the creation of a new state. **Current Status** The bill is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet advanced to a full vote in the House. This legislation would require approval from both the House and Senate, and would represent a significant constitutional and governmental change. D.C. statehood bills have been proposed numerous times in recent decades but have not achieved passage into law.
CRS Official Summary
Washington, D.C. Admission ActThis bill provides for the establishment of the State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth, and its admission into the United States.The state is composed of most of the territory of the District of Columbia (DC), excluding a specified area that encompasses the U.S. Capitol, the White House, the U.S. Supreme Court building, federal monuments, and federal office buildings adjacent to the National Mall and the U.S. Capitol. The excluded territory shall be known as the Capital and serve as the seat of the government of the United States, as provided for in Article I of the Constitution. The state may not impose taxes on federal property except as Congress permits.The bill provides for the DC Mayor to issue a proclamation for the first elections to Congress of two Senators and one Representative of the state. The bill eliminates the office of Delegate to the House of Representatives.The bill applies current DC laws to the state. DC judicial proceedings and contractual obligations shall continue under the state’s authority. The bill also provides for specified federal obligations to transfer to the state upon its certification that it has funds and laws in place to assume the obligations. These include maintaining a retirement fund for judges and operating public defender services. The bill establishes a commission that is generally comprised of members who are appointed by DC and federal government officials to advise on an orderly transition to statehood.
Latest Action
Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on Rules, Armed Services, the Judiciary, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.