Rules Committee, Judiciary Committee, Armed Services Committee, Energy and Commerce Committee, Oversight and Government Reform Committee
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
This bill, titled the "Washington, D.C. Admission Act," proposes to admit the territory of Washington, D.C., into the Union as the 51st state, to be named Washington, Douglass Commonwealth . Upon admission, the new state would be on equal footing with all other states, gaining full representation in Congress with two Senators and one Representative. A crucial provision of the bill is the establishment of a distinct federal enclave, referred to as the "Capital," which would serve as the permanent seat of the U.S. Government. This Capital district would encompass key federal buildings and monuments, including the White House, the Capitol Building, and the Supreme Court, while the remaining territory of the current District of Columbia would form the new state. The legislation mandates elections for the new state's Senators and Representative, and it adjusts the size of the House of Representatives to accommodate the new member. It also includes provisions for residents of the federal Capital district to vote in federal elections in their most recent state of domicile, and it initiates expedited procedures for a constitutional amendment to repeal the 23rd Amendment, which currently grants D.C. electoral votes in presidential elections. The bill details the transition of legal and governmental structures, stipulating that existing D.C. laws would become state laws and D.C. officials would transition to state roles. It also addresses the treatment of federal property, ensuring the U.S. retains title and jurisdiction over its holdings within the new state and the Capital. Furthermore, the bill renames and adjusts the jurisdiction of federal courts, such as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, which would become the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Capital . It also outlines the continuation of federal support for various D.C. agencies and programs, including the Public Defender Service, U.S. Marshals, Bureau of Prisons designations, and the U.S. Parole Commission, until the new state certifies its capacity to assume these responsibilities. Federal benefits for certain D.C. employees and judges' retirement programs are also continued under the bill. Programs like the College Access Act and Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Act would remain in effect, along with the current Medicaid Federal Medical Assistance Percentage, until the state certifies its ability to provide similar support or manage its finances independently. To facilitate the transition, the bill establishes a Statehood Transition Commission composed of federal and local appointees. This commission is tasked with advising on the orderly shift to statehood and the reduced geographical size of the federal seat of government, covering aspects such as property, funding, and programs.
Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on Rules, Armed Services, the Judiciary, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1-2)
Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on Rules, Armed Services, the Judiciary, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1-2)
Congressional districts and representationCongressional electionsConstitution and constitutional amendmentsDistrict of ColumbiaElections, voting, political campaign regulationGovernment buildings, facilities, and propertyHouse of RepresentativesLegislative rules and procedureMembers of CongressPresidents and presidential powers, Vice PresidentsState and local government operations
Washington, D.C. Admission Act
USA119th CongressHR-51| House
| Updated: 1/3/2025
This bill, titled the "Washington, D.C. Admission Act," proposes to admit the territory of Washington, D.C., into the Union as the 51st state, to be named Washington, Douglass Commonwealth . Upon admission, the new state would be on equal footing with all other states, gaining full representation in Congress with two Senators and one Representative. A crucial provision of the bill is the establishment of a distinct federal enclave, referred to as the "Capital," which would serve as the permanent seat of the U.S. Government. This Capital district would encompass key federal buildings and monuments, including the White House, the Capitol Building, and the Supreme Court, while the remaining territory of the current District of Columbia would form the new state. The legislation mandates elections for the new state's Senators and Representative, and it adjusts the size of the House of Representatives to accommodate the new member. It also includes provisions for residents of the federal Capital district to vote in federal elections in their most recent state of domicile, and it initiates expedited procedures for a constitutional amendment to repeal the 23rd Amendment, which currently grants D.C. electoral votes in presidential elections. The bill details the transition of legal and governmental structures, stipulating that existing D.C. laws would become state laws and D.C. officials would transition to state roles. It also addresses the treatment of federal property, ensuring the U.S. retains title and jurisdiction over its holdings within the new state and the Capital. Furthermore, the bill renames and adjusts the jurisdiction of federal courts, such as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, which would become the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Capital . It also outlines the continuation of federal support for various D.C. agencies and programs, including the Public Defender Service, U.S. Marshals, Bureau of Prisons designations, and the U.S. Parole Commission, until the new state certifies its capacity to assume these responsibilities. Federal benefits for certain D.C. employees and judges' retirement programs are also continued under the bill. Programs like the College Access Act and Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Act would remain in effect, along with the current Medicaid Federal Medical Assistance Percentage, until the state certifies its ability to provide similar support or manage its finances independently. To facilitate the transition, the bill establishes a Statehood Transition Commission composed of federal and local appointees. This commission is tasked with advising on the orderly shift to statehood and the reduced geographical size of the federal seat of government, covering aspects such as property, funding, and programs.
Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on Rules, Armed Services, the Judiciary, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1-2)
Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on Rules, Armed Services, the Judiciary, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1-2)
Congressional districts and representationCongressional electionsConstitution and constitutional amendmentsDistrict of ColumbiaElections, voting, political campaign regulationGovernment buildings, facilities, and propertyHouse of RepresentativesLegislative rules and procedureMembers of CongressPresidents and presidential powers, Vice PresidentsState and local government operations