District of Columbia; memorializing Congress to enact legislation admitting as a state into the U.S.
Impact
If enacted, HR271 would alter the political landscape of the United States by granting D.C. full state rights, including representation in Congress with two senators and at least one member in the House of Representatives. This resolution points out the unequal treatment of D.C. compared to states that have full representation, bringing attention to the calls from various human rights organizations for the U.S. to address this issue.
Summary
HR271 is a resolution urging the United States Congress to enact legislation that would admit the District of Columbia as a state. The resolution emphasizes the historical context of voting rights for residents in the District, noting that they have been systematically denied full representation in Congress since the Organic Act of 1801. It highlights the inconsistency faced by D.C. residents, who pay federal taxes and serve in the military, yet lack voting representation equivalent to that enjoyed by residents of the 50 states. The bill references a referendum passed by D.C. residents in 2016 favoring statehood, which demonstrates a strong local mandate for this change.
Contention
One notable point of contention surrounding HR271 involves the constitutional and political implications of admitting a new state. Critics argue that the admission of D.C. as a state might disrupt the balance of power in Congress, potentially favoring Democrats due to the district's political composition. Supporters counter that this argument undermines the democratic principle of representation and that D.C. residents deserve equal citizenship rights. Additionally, there are concerns about how the federal government has historically treated D.C., including legislative interference with local governance and budgetary decisions that restrict self-governance.