WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner joined Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE) as original co-sponsors of Senate legislation to make Washington, D.C. the 51st state.
The legislation, Washington, D.C. Admission Act, would establish congressional boundaries for the 51st state and grant D.C. residents Congressional representation.
“It’s time to end taxation without representation,” said Sen. Warner. “It’s time for Virginia’s neighbors – who pay their fair share in taxes – to be treated like any other American.”
In November of 2016, D.C. residents voted to petition the federal government to become a state.
“Virginia’s neighbors in D.C. deserve representation just like every other American,” said Sen. Kaine. “It’s far past time to recognize D.C. as our nation’s 51st state and grant hundreds of thousands of taxpaying Americans this fundamental right.”
Del. Eleanor Norton Holmes (D-DC) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives. The legislation is part of the For the People Act of 2019, a landmark voting rights and election reform package.
