The Issues
National Guard
Without statehood, D.C. does not control our own National Guard — the president does.
Public Health
Denying statehood to Washington, D.C. has detrimental effects on local public health efforts.
Taxes & Local Rights
The people who live in D.C. are just like residents of any other state. But the president and Congress have extraordinary powers to dictate what happens in D.C.
Voting Rights
The denial of statehood to D.C. is an egregious form of voter suppression happening in our country today.
Racial Justice
The majority of D.C.’s residents are people of color. The ongoing denial of statehood to D.C. residents is rooted in racism.
Statehood & the Constitution
D.C. statehood is constitutional, and granting D.C. statehood does not require any new amendments.
Veterans
Among D.C.’s voting population today are more than 11,000 active-duty service members and more than 30,000 veterans, all of whom are being denied full voting rights simply because they live in D.C.
Public Safety
Lack of statehood means that D.C. does not have control over many aspects of our own criminal justice system. Because of this, we are unable to enact needed local reforms.