The news that members of the U.S. House are scheduled to hold a vote on D.C. statehood in February has filled many residents of the District with hope, as the hearing is the first one since 1993.
It was announced that a markup and vote will take place on February 11 for HR 51 in the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.
The bill about whether D.C. should become the 51st state is likely to go to the House following the committee vote.
Eleanor Holmes Norton, the District’s non-voting delegate to the House, is the leading figure behind the bill. She is known for introducing similar legislation every term.
LIVE with #DCStatehood news! We are announcing a markup of H.R. 51, the Washington, DC Admission Act, on February 11, 2020 at 10:00am. https://t.co/dU0sorHLmg
— Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) January 30, 2020
The new D.C. statehood bill, also introduced by Norton last year, has a large number of supporters, including Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. With 224 co-sponsors, it is expected to pass, as 218 would be enough for approval.
Great news! The U.S. House Oversight Committee has scheduled a mark-up of H.R. 51, the #DCStatehood bill, on February 11th. One step closer to achieving voting representation for 700,000+ D.C. residents!https://t.co/3S7UhZM83a
— 51 for 51 (@51for51) January 31, 2020
Reminder: the Senate would be much different if 700k Americans living in DC weren’t denied rightful representation.
It’d be inexcusable if Democrats don’t prioritize DC statehood and secure rightful additional seats in the House and Senate, when they regain control.
— Matt McDermott (@mattmfm) January 31, 2020
“I had no sooner gotten to the Congress when I was able to get the District’s first-ever floor vote on statehood. Because during most of my service in the House, Republicans have been in the majority, I have had no clear shot for statehood until now,” Norton said in a press statement on Thursday.
“Today, I am so sure that the House will pass H.R. 51 that I am already working in the Senate with the help of Senators and more than 100 national organizations who have had success in getting difficult bills passed in the Senate. The District will be more than halfway there when the House votes to pass H.R. 51 this year.”
Presidential hopeful Michael Bloomberg last week vowed to work with Congress for statehood of D.C. if he is elected president. The billionaire businessman’s move was followed by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announcing her endorsement for him in the 2020 presidential election.