The District of Columbia is home to more than 700,000 residents but is denied representation via voting members in the US Senate and House of Representatives. The people of the District of Columbia do not have a voice in Congress and thus cannot advocate for or against federal policies that affect their everyday lives. The fact that DC does not have statehood means that DC’s local laws – including an annual budget – are subject to congressional oversight.
The District of Columbia, while known to many as the seat of our nation's government, is also where many people live, work, raise their families, pay taxes, and call home. However, unlike people living in the 50 US states, the residents of DC live under local laws that are subject to congressional interference. This is undemocratic.
The people of Washington, DC deserve the same rights as their fellow Americans living in the 50 states. This includes full voting representation in the US Congress and the end of congressional interference in their local government.
Urge your Members of Congress to oppose interference in DC!
For DC Residents: As the lack of DC statehood is at the heart of this issue, there are no voting members of Congress for you to contact about this issue. However, we have customized a letter to DC’s delegate to the House of Representatives, Eleanor Holmes Norton, thanking her for her office’s work in defense of DC autonomy.