arrow_back Back to App

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.
article Official text account_balance Process page
Introduced
Citizen Poll
No votes cast
Additional Information
Print number: 119_S_51
Sponsor: Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]
Process start date: 2025-01-09
Lustra uses Artificial Intelligence. Verify details in source documents.
Summarized by: gemini-3-pro-preview
Source data: api.congress.gov
AI work logs for this document launch

OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

Washington, D.C. Admission Act

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 119_S_51.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the Senate.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2025-01-09.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • 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.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Introduced.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Introduced in Senate

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2026-01-19.

CATEGORIES

Local Government Courts and Law