House of Representatives approves statehood for DC in vote 232-180

The House on Friday passed landmark legislation granting statehood to Washington, DC, in a 232-180 vote.

The vote was historic, marking the first time that one of the houses passed a law to elevate the District to state 51 and grant its residents long-sought voting representation in the halls of Congress.

Calls for Washington, DC, to gain statehood have picked up momentum amid national calls for racial justice that have followed the police murder of George Floyd last month.

The issue is very partisan, and the result on Friday reflected it. All Democrats except one, Rep. Collin PetersonCollin Clark PetersonHouse approves statehood for DC in vote of 232-180 House of Representatives to pass radical police reform law From farmers to supermarket employees, thanks to our entire food system MORE (D-Minn.), Voted for the proposal, which was sponsored by DC Del. Eleanor Holmes NortonEleanor Holmes NortonHouse approves statehood for DC in vote 232-180 House is set for historic vote on stay in DC Mitchell, Holmes Norton indicted by man near White House MORE (D), while all Republicans opposed it.

The vote is also largely symbolic, as Senate Republicans oppose DC’s statehood, and will surely ignore the Norton bill, while President TrumpDonald John Trump Miami-Dade will close the beaches during the weekend of July 4 by coronavirus fears that an Oklahoma reporter will test positive for COVID-19 after attending the Trump rally in Tulsa Trump criticizes the Governor of Illinois, Mayor for violence in Chicago calls for ‘law and order’ MORE He has promised to veto the proposal if it somehow reaches his desk.

But just a few months before the November election, Democrats hope to highlight their legislative priorities for voters to see. And Floyd’s death in the custody of Minneapolis police on May 25, which unleashed an avalanche of pressure on Congress to tackle racism in all facets of American culture, has breathed new life into a series of proposals for years old designed, at least in part, to empower African Americans and other minorities.

For supporters, granting DC statehood is another extension of that message: an effort to grant voter rights in a city that boasted of a majority and minority population for decades.

“People in the District of Columbia pay taxes, fight our wars, risk their lives for our democracy. And yet … they have no vote in the House or the Senate on whether we go to war, and how those taxes are imposed and how all this is played, President Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiPelosi: Trump doesn’t wear a mask is ‘coward’ House approves statehood for DC in vote 232-180 Clyburn threatens to end coronavirus committee in-person hearings if Republicans don’t wear masks MORE (D-Calif.) He said on Capitol Hill a few hours before the vote. “We are in a state of compromise, and we think it is long overdue.”

Under the legislation, DC would be granted one representative with the right to vote in the House and two in the Senate. Under current law, Norton is the only District delegate, with voting powers in committees but not on the House floor. Washington has no senators.

Republican lawmakers have criticized the legislation as a Democratic takeover, pointing to the disproportionate partisan leanings of District residents. Critics also argue that the state of DC is unconstitutional, arguing that the nation’s founders established the city as a neutral zone to rule outside of the influence of state policy.

“My friends across the aisle may gasp, protest, and be outraged at the suggestion that this is an attempt to get two more Democratic senators. But that’s what this is really about, ”the representative. Jody didJody Brownlow HiceHouse approves statehood for DC in vote 232-180 The Corona’s Virusvirus Report: Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan says there will be consequences for the erosion of relations between the United States and China; WHO rejects claims of asymptomatic spread of Energy virus overnight: Biden campaign says it would revoke Keystone XL permit | EPA emails reveal conversations between Trump officials and chemical group ahead of 2017 deal | Tensions arise in the Natural Resources panel for virtual meetings MORE (R-Ga.) He said on the floor. “The Constitution clearly establishes a federation of sovereign states, [and] Representation here in Washington, DC, comes from those states, the federation of those states.

“This city, this district is a unique entity.”

Lack of representation for the District of Columbia has long been a hot topic for city residents and Democrats seeking statehood. Those voices are quick to note that the population of DC, nearly 700,000 people, is higher than that of Wyoming and Vermont. Some accuse opponents of wanting to deny statehood because of the District’s large black population.

“Washington, DC, is home to more Americans than two states, and more than 46 percent of the 700,000 residents are black,” he said. Maxine WatersMaxine Moore WatersHouse approves statehood for DC in a 232-180 vote House does not override Trump’s veto of the law that blocks the DeVos Treasury student loan rule to give Congress access to all PPP loan data MORE (D-Calif.) He said on the ground.

“Make no mistake, race underlies all the arguments against the state of DC,” he added. “And denying its citizens equal participation and representation is a racial, democratic and economic injustice that we cannot tolerate.”