# Washington, D.C. Admission Act: What It Means

This bill would make Washington, D.C. a state. Right now, D.C. is not a state—it's a federal district that exists under special congressional control. If this bill passed, D.C. would become the "State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth" and would gain full representation in Congress, just like every other state.

Currently, D.C. residents can't vote for members of Congress who represent them in the House and Senate. They have a non-voting delegate in the House, but that person can't actually vote on legislation. This bill would change that completely. D.C. would elect two Senators and one Representative who would have full voting power in Congress, just like representatives from other states. The bill also sets up procedures for holding these first elections within 30 days of the bill becoming law. Additionally, it addresses the tricky question of what happens to the federal government buildings and monuments in D.C.—those would remain federal property and wouldn't be taxed by the new state.

The bill also deals with some complicated legal issues. It would create a small federal area around the Capitol, the White House, and other key government buildings that would stay under federal control. D.C. residents would gain the right to vote in presidential elections as part of their state (rather than under the current system where they get a small number of electoral votes). The bill includes provisions to make sure federal employees who work in D.C. keep their benefits and retirement protections, and it addresses how federal courts would operate under the new arrangement. Essentially, this bill would transform D.C. from a federal district into a full state with voting representation in Congress and control over its own local affairs, while keeping the nation's capital buildings and monuments under federal jurisdiction.

Washington, D.C. Admission Act

Norton, Eleanor Holmes

Washington, D.C. Admission Act This bill provides for admission into the United States of the state of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth, composed of most of the territory of the District of Columbia. The commonwealth shall be admitted to the Union on an equal footing with the other states. The Mayor of the District of Columbia shall issue a proclamation for the first elections to Congress of two Senators and one Representative of the commonwealth. The bill applies current District laws to the commonwealth and continues pending judicial proceedings. The commonwealth (1) shall consist of all District territory, with specified exclusions for federal buildings and monuments, including the principal federal monuments, the White House, the Capitol Building, the U.S. Supreme Court Building, and the federal executive, legislative, and judicial office buildings located adjacent to the Mall and the Capitol Building; and (2) may not impose taxes on federal property except as Congress permits. District territory excluded from the commonwealth shall be known as the Capital and shall be the seat of the federal government. The bill maintains the federal government's authority over military lands and specified other property. The bill provides for expedited consideration of a joint resolution repealing the Twenty-third Amendment to the Constitution, which provides for the appointment of electors of the President and Vice President. The bill continues certain federal authorities and responsibilities, including regarding employee benefits, agencies, courts, and college tuition assistance, until the commonwealth certifies that it is prepared to take over the authorities and responsibilities. The bill establishes the Statehood Transition Commission to advise the President, Congress, and District and commonwealth leaders on the transition.