Washington, D.C. Admission Act
Sponsored By: Representative Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
Introduced
Summary
Full statehood for Washington, Douglass Commonwealth would admit the District of Columbia as a new state on equal footing, while defining a smaller federal "Capital" and setting staged transitions for courts, property, and federal programs.
Show full summary
- Capital residents would gain full congressional representation: two U.S. Senators and one U.S. Representative. The bill also requires states to allow "absent Capital" residents to vote by absentee ballot in federal elections.
- The U.S. House would be permanently increased to 436 members and apportionment would be adjusted beginning with the first decennial census after admission.
- The bill defines the federal Capital with a required 180-day survey, preserves federal court, prosecutorial, prison, parole, National Guard, and employee benefit arrangements on a temporary basis, and phases those responsibilities to the State as it certifies the necessary laws and personnel are in place.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
11 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.
Retirement and benefits for D.C. workers
If enacted, people already getting federal D.C. retirement checks would keep them on the same terms. Title 5 federal benefit obligations would keep applying to D.C. employees first hired before October 1, 1987. Judges would keep federal retirement for service earned before admission, until the State funds its own system. Public defender staff would be treated as federal employees for certain benefit contributions until the State takes over funding.
How D.C. statehood would happen
This bill would admit Washington, Douglass Commonwealth as a State if its constitution fits U.S. rules. The new State would take over all D.C. legal matters, cases, and obligations unless other laws say otherwise. D.C. leaders and judges would continue in State roles as the State’s constitution and laws provide. A nonseverability clause means if key parts of the admission section are struck down, linked parts covered by that rule would also fall.
Medicaid funding match for new State
If enacted, the State’s Medicaid federal match would equal D.C.’s rate starting on admission. This would last until September 30 of the fiscal year when the State certifies it can cover any loss for the next five years. This could support Medicaid coverage and services during the transition.
Tuition help and scholarships continue
If enacted, current tuition aid and scholarship programs would apply to the new State and the school that replaces the University of D.C. Students could keep getting support under the same rules. These programs would end only when the State certifies it offers similar aid and school funding.
Courts and justice services keep running
If enacted, the U.S. Marshals Service would keep court services until the State staffs up. Federal prosecutors would be assigned to handle cases during the transition, with no State reimbursement. Federal parole and supervision authority would continue for eligible people, and federal prison designation rules would keep applying. Most D.C. court laws would keep applying to the State courts, and court and agency employees would keep certain federal benefits during the shift. These duties would end when the State certifies it can run these systems.
New elections and voting after statehood
If enacted, the President would notify the Mayor within 60 days. The Mayor would call the first elections for two Senators and one Representative within 30 days. The President would admit the winners within 90 days. The House would expand to 436 Members, and the State would have one Representative until the next apportionment. People living in the Capital could vote absentee in their last State if their registration is received at least 30 days before an election. Congress would also get fast procedures to consider repealing the 23rd Amendment.
What stays as the federal Capital
If enacted, the Capital would keep the White House, Capitol, Supreme Court, and nearby federal buildings. A detailed boundary survey would be done within 180 days after enactment. The Capital would stop being a municipal government when the State is admitted. Being located in the new Capital would still count for old laws that required a location in D.C.
Who owns and taxes property now
If enacted, the U.S. would keep title or jurisdiction over the federal property it held before admission. The State would keep D.C.’s property from before admission, but would give up claims to other federal property. Congress would keep exclusive lawmaking power over federal defense and Coast Guard lands inside the State while they remain federal. The State could not tax federal property unless Congress allows it.
Statehood transition commission set up
If enacted, an 18‑member panel would guide the move to statehood. Appointments would be due within 90 days after enactment. Members would not be paid, but travel costs could be covered. The commission would end two years after the State is admitted.
Citizenship status would not change
If enacted, this bill would not give, take away, or restore U.S. nationality. Your citizenship status would stay the same under current law.
Update federal laws for Capital and State
If enacted, many federal statutes would be updated to refer to the new Capital and the State. Federal court names, venues, and related rules would be revised. Some residency rules for judges and officers would change for people appointed after admission. A D.C.-specific reference in presidential election law would be removed.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Cosponsors
Jeffries
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Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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