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Admission of Washington, D.C. as the 51st State: Voting Rights and Representation

This bill admits most of the District of Columbia into the Union as a new state named Washington, Douglass Commonwealth, granting residents full representation in Congress. A reduced federal district containing key government buildings like the White House and Capitol will remain the seat of the federal government. This change allows residents to have equal voting rights while maintaining a separate federal enclave for government operations.
Key points
Residents gain two Senators and one voting member in the House of Representatives, ensuring equal political representation.
The new state assumes authority over local courts, prisons, and law enforcement, removing direct federal oversight of local matters.
The size of the House of Representatives is permanently increased from 435 to 436 members.
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Status: Introduced
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Additional Information
Print number: 119_S_51
Sponsor: Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]
Process start date: 2025-01-09