NAACP: DC Statehood bill passes US House of Representatives!

On 6/26/2020, the US House of Representatives passed by a margin of 232 yeas to 180 nays H.R.51, the NAACP strongly-supported “Washington, D.C. Admissions Act”. This historic legislation grants full voting and statehood rights to the hardworking men and women of Washington, D.C. 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” and is contrary to everything that this nation is founded on.  Until this bill becomes law, there is no democracy in the "Seat of democracy."

For more information and to find out how you can advocate for this bill in the U.S. Senate, please read our Action Alert and take Fast Action.  It will also show you how each Member of the US House voted on this key element of the NAACP's policy platform.

Hilary O. Shelton
Director, NAACP Washington Bureau & SVP Advocacy & Policy
NAACP Washington Bureau