As US debates DC statehood, advocates see possibilities ahead

Washington, DC mayor and advocates say statehood a matter of equality, security; Republicans say it will give Dems more power.

United States lawmakers will debate granting the District of Columbia statehood on Monday, the latest step along a 30-year road undertaken by Washington, DC residents and activists. The home of the US capital, by law, does not enjoy elected voting representation in Congress, although its residents pay federal taxes, a fact decried by residents and leaders alike. The movement gained national attention and an unprecedented level of support ahead of the November 2020 election, with advocates campaigning on a platform of “equality” for DC voters. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, along with numerous celebrities and legislators, have voiced support for the measure.