The House of Representatives Passed a Bill to Make Washington D.C. the 51st State

The House of Representatives passed a bill to make Washington D.C. the 51st state today. House Democrats passed the bill last year but it did not advance in the Senate which had been controlled by a Republican majority at the time. It passed again today in the House with a 216 to 208 vote along party lines. It will have a tough time getting enough support in the Senate to clear the 60 vote threshold. Yesterday House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said  “with HR 51, Congress is taking a significant step to enfranchise the people of D.C. and empower them to participate fully in our democracy,” She added “Again, we’re excited that we will pass it. We will celebrate, and we hope that momentum will help it pass in the Senate so that the President can sign it into law.” HR 51 was introduced by Democratic delegate Elanor Holmes Norton. Democrats have said granting statehood to D.C. is an important step for equal representation and voting rights in the United States but Republicans have said the legislation represents an effort by Democrats to push a progressive agenda and tip the scales in Congress in favor of Democrats.