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119th Congress Government Operations and Politics

S. 51: Washington, D.C. Admission Act

Introduced

  1. Introduced (completed)Jan 9, 2025
  2. Passed Senate (not reached)
  3. Passed House (not reached)
  4. To the President (not reached)
  5. Became law (not reached)

Summary

Introduced in Senate, Jan 9, 2025

This bill provides for the establishment of the State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth, and its admission into the United States.

The state is composed of most of the territory of the District of Columbia (DC), excluding a specified area that encompasses the U.S. Capitol, the White House, the U.S. Supreme Court building, federal monuments, and federal office buildings adjacent to the National Mall and the U.S. Capitol. The excluded territory shall be known as the Capital and serve as the seat of the government of the United States, as provided for in Article I of the Constitution. The state may not impose taxes on federal property except as Congress permits.

The bill provides for the DC Mayor to issue a proclamation for the first elections to Congress of two Senators and one Representative of the state. The bill eliminates the office of Delegate to the House of Representatives.

Read the full summary

The bill applies current DC laws to the state. DC judicial proceedings and contractual obligations shall continue under the state’s authority. The bill also provides for specified federal obligations to transfer to the state upon its certification that it has funds and laws in place to assume the obligations. These include maintaining a retirement fund for judges and operating public defender services.

The bill establishes a commission that is generally comprised of members who are appointed by DC and federal government officials to advise on an orderly transition to statehood.

Written by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Roll calls

0 votes on this bill

No roll call votes have been held on this bill.

Amendments

0 offered

No amendments were offered to this bill.

Cosponsors

43

Bipartisan support.

Who scored on this bill

12 points earned
  1. 1Chris Van Hollen D-MD SponsorDrew cross-party cosponsors, reached a cosponsor milestone, introduced3 events+12
See all scorers and every scoring event

Introductions and cosponsorships count toward weekly caps and show no points.

Other bills by Chris Van Hollen

History

  1. Jan 9, 2025Introduced in the Senate by Chris Van Hollen.
Show the full action history (2 actions)
  1. Jan 9, 2025Introduced in Senate
  2. Jan 9, 2025Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.