Today, Congresswoman Nanette Diaz Barragán made the following statement in support of the Washington, D.C. Admission Act, H.R. 51, which would make Washington, D.C. the 51st state and grant its people full representation in the United States Congress:
Every American's vote should count, regardless of where they live.
More than 700,000 Americans who live in the District of Columbia -- the majority of whom are Black and Brown -- should not be disenfranchised by our federal government.
These are small business owners, emergency responders, retail and restaurant workers, construction workers, veterans, janitors, seniors and so many others who still do not have full representation in Congress. They pay taxes that flow out to all 50 states -- while not having a seat the table to decide how that money is spent.
It is well past time that the District of Columbia be admitted as the 51st state.
I support statehood for the District of Columbia, I am proud to be a co-sponsor of the Washington, D.C. Admission Act. I voted this afternoon to make the District of Columbia the 51st state.