# Washington, D.C. Admission Act: Plain Language Summary

This bill would make Washington, D.C. a state, giving it full representation in Congress and the ability to govern itself like other states. Right now, D.C. has a unique status—it's the nation's capital but functions more like a territory than a state. The roughly 700,000 people who live there can vote in presidential elections, but they have no voting representatives in the House or Senate. Instead, they have a non-voting delegate who can participate in discussions but cannot vote on legislation. This bill would change that by creating a new state called "Washington, Douglass Commonwealth" (named after Frederick Douglass) and giving it two senators and at least one representative in Congress, depending on population.

The bill would also shrink the physical area of D.C. itself, keeping only the federal government buildings and monuments as a federal district. This smaller federal zone would remain under Congress's control and wouldn't be part of the new state. The new state would have its own governor, state legislature, and full control over local laws and taxes, just like any other state. D.C. residents would finally have voting power in Congress to influence national legislation that affects them.

This change would be significant for D.C. residents who have long argued they deserve representation in government despite paying federal taxes. However, the bill would need approval from Congress and would likely face political debate, since D.C. tends to vote Democratic, which could shift the balance of power in the Senate and House. The practical effect would be that D.C. residents gain the same democratic rights as people in other states, while the federal government retains control over the core government district.

Washington, D.C. Admission Act

Carper, Thomas R.

Washington, D.C. Admission Act This bill provides for the admission of the state of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth into the United States. The commonwealth consists of all the territory of the District of Columbia (DC), excluding certain federal property. The excluded property shall be known as the Capital and serve as the seat of federal government; it includes the principal federal monuments, the White House, the Capitol Building, the Supreme Court Building, and the federal office buildings located adjacent to the Mall and Capitol Building. In addition, the bill maintains the federal government's authority over military lands and specified other property and prohibits the commonwealth from taxing federal property except as permitted by Congress. Within 30 days of this bill's enactment, the DC mayor must call for the election of two Senators and one Representative for the commonwealth. The commonwealth shall be admitted into the United States upon a presidential proclamation announcing the results of that election. The bill applies current DC laws to the commonwealth and continues pending judicial proceedings. It also continues certain federal authorities and responsibilities, including regarding employee benefits, agencies, and courts, until the commonwealth certifies that it is prepared to take over those authorities and responsibilities. Further, the bill provides for expedited consideration of a joint resolution to repeal the Twenty-third Amendment to the Constitution (which allows DC citizens to vote in presidential elections). The bill also establishes a commission to advise the President, Congress, and DC and commonwealth leaders on the transition.