The fight against taxation without representation

The fight against taxation without representation

On Thursday, September 19th, the House Committee on Oversight and Reform held a hearing on the Washington, DC Admission Act (H.R. 51)—the first hearing on DC statehood in more than a quarter-century. 

More than 700,000 residents live in DC, which is more than the population of Wyoming and Vermont, yet its residents still lack voting members in the U.S. House and Senate. Without these voting members, residents of DC are denied a voice in Congress to defend them from attacks on their own locally passed laws and citizen backed initiatives.

The introduction of H.R. 51 is a historic opportunity to ensure that DC residents are no longer disenfranchised. The legislation would preserve the “federal district” of DC—with its monuments, Capitol building, White House, and the National Mall—while ensuring that the residents and businesses outside of those areas are able to thrive in their communities under home rule.

This is not a partisan issue; it is a human rights and civil rights issue. The people of Washington, DC, deserve the same rights as Americans living in the 50 states. Residents in DC deserve full representation in Congress. 

Take action by signing The League of Women Voters’ petition to support DC statehood today!