Despite the fact that the citizens of Washington, D.C. pay federal taxes, serve on juries and defend our Nation in times of war like most other Americans, the residents of the District of Columbia are barred from having voting representation on the floor of the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate.  This classic example of “taxation without representation” is contrary to everything that this nation is founded on.

To begin to correct this gross injustice, Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC) has introduced H.R. 51, the Washington, D.C. Admission Act in the U.S. House of Representatives.  This bill will make the District of Columbia the 51st state in the Union.  On February 11, 2020, the House Committee on Oversight and Reform passed H.R. 51 out of committee and to the full House of Representatives with a positive recommendation.  The full House of Representatives is expected to consider the bill on Friday, 6/26/2020.

The NAACP strongly supports HR 51 and we urge you to contact your Representatives to support the bill on the House floor.  For more information please see the attached Action Alert and take Fast Action.