Washington, United States.
Democratic congressmen and the mayor of Washington defended on Monday the status of state for the capital of United Statess, proclaiming the deprivation of rights of city residents as one of the last flagrant violations of the American civil rights.
More than 712,000 people live in the Districts of Columbia, a bastion Democrat with a population larger than that of two states, Wyoming and Vermont, and comparable to that of the other two.
Its residents fight in the wars of the United States and face greater federal tax pressure than the 50 states. However, although Washington residents can vote in the presidential elections, Is denied the vote in those of Congress.
“Every American deserves itn have a voice in his own government, “said Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, chair of the House Oversight and Reform Committee, at the start of a hearing on a bill that would make Washington dc in state number 51.
“Taxes without representation was the battle cry of ours revolution, and it remains a battle cry. “
The way to achieve state status this will be ardu.
The bill is expected to be passed in the House of Representatives, but is unlikely to be approved in the Senate, Which is divided into equal parts, and where the republicans block the measurement.
but the democrats are taking advantage of their control of the Congress pnow take momentum.
A recent Data For Progress poll shows that 54% of potential voters across the country believe that Washington dc should sis a state, a record level of support.
With Democrats controlling the House of Representatives, the Senate and the Senate White House, “We have never been closer to being a state,” Eleanor Holmes Norton, who represents the district in the House as a non-voting delegate, said at the hearing.
Supporters of the measure met Monday in various parts of the city with banners.
Washington authorities also placed American flags near the White House con 51 stars instead of the 50 officers, adding one more star for Washington.
Biden himself supports the initiative. “He thinks they deserve it be represented, therefore supports the DC statehood “, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters last Thursday.
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If it became a state, the capital would be entitled to two American senators and a representative entitled to vote in the House.
Since Washington is mostly inclined to Democrats, eIt ‘s likely that the party will get the three seats din Congress.
the democrats present the bill as a late remedy to the deprivation of rights perpetuated since Congress turned it into Washington en the nation’s permanent capital in 1790, and a long-standing civil rights issue for a city in which nearly 50% of its population is black.