Statehood for the District of Columbia
Why it Matters
Since 1801, the residents of the District of Columbia have had no representation in Congress. Nor have they been able to govern themselves without interference from Congress. District residents are required to fulfill all the obligations of U.S. citizenship—paying taxes, voting, and serving on juries and in the military ... but are denied a voice in our national government and sovereignty over state and local affairs. The people of Washington, D.C. deserve the same rights that the people in the 50 states enjoy.And in November 2016, DC citizens voted overwhelming in favor of petitioning Congress for statehood - the first step in the statehood process.