Full Representation for All Americans
Legislation granting statehood to both Washington, DC and Puerto Rico advanced through committee today, moving closer to providing full democratic representation to the more than 4 million American citizens who currently have no voting members in Congress.
Residents of Washington, DC — a city with a larger population than Wyoming or Vermont — pay federal taxes, serve in the military, and are subject to federal laws, yet have no voting representation in the Senate and only a non-voting delegate in the House.
Similarly, the 3.2 million Americans living in Puerto Rico have been U.S. citizens since 1917 but cannot vote for president and have no voting representation in Congress.
Why Statehood Matters
- DC residents pay more per capita in federal taxes than residents of any state
- Puerto Rico's lack of representation has contributed to inadequate federal disaster response and economic support
- Both territories have held referendums in which residents voted for statehood
- Statehood would provide full representation including two senators and proportional House members each
"Taxation without representation was the cause of the American Revolution," said a DC statehood advocate. "It's past time to live up to our founding ideals."
