Senator Elizabeth Warren, who is expected to officially announce her 2020 presidential bid later this month, has come out in support of D.C. statehood a few weeks after Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also signed on to a D.C. statehood bill.
“700,000 people is more than the populations of Wyoming or Vermont. But DC residents don’t have an equal voice in our government – despite paying federal taxes,” Warren tweeted, urging her followers to sign a petition to make D.C. the 51th state.
700,000 people is more than the populations of Wyoming or Vermont. But DC residents don’t have an equal voice in our government – despite paying federal taxes. Sign our petition if you agree we need to make DC the 51st state: https://t.co/NUIIRWVXNB https://t.co/MzhHJU3zA4
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) January 29, 2019
On Thursday, Warren tweeted she would be making a “BIG announcement” about her 2020 plans on February 9, which is widely believed to be the official launch of her 2020 presidential campaign.
The statehood bill has least chances of passage with a Republican Senate and president, but according to a DCist report, the Oversight Committee Chair Elijah Cummings has said that the bill would get a hearing and even a floor vote.
In May 2017, a bill for D.C. statehood was introduced to the Senate for the first time. Democratic Senator Tom Carper, in collaboration with leading D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, drafted and proposed the bill with 18 Democratic and independent co-sponsors.
On January 3, Norton introduced another bill for D.C. statehood. The bill set a new record and attracted 155 original co-sponsors.
At the moment, the U.S. Congress maintains jurisdiction over D.C. In 1973, an amendment was passed allowing the district to elect a mayor and a 13-member council. The final say, however, belongs to the Congress which can overturn any local law.
Will There be a 51st State? Why No Progress on DC Statehood Debate?