D.C. Statehood

Floor Speech

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Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, D.C. statehood has just crossed another historic threshold. For the first time, the District of Columbia Republican Party now supports D.C. statehood, making D.C. statehood a bipartisan effort.

Moreover, the upcoming ``Statehood Yes'' vote to put D.C. residents on the record on statehood is being led by a Republican resident, George Vradenburg, a retired AOL executive and philanthropist. D.C. Republicans have consistently supported equality for our citizens, including the bipartisan bill for a House vote and the recent budget autonomy referendum. It is now clear that D.C.

statehood, including my bill, the New Columbia Admission Act, enjoys the support of D.C. residents, regardless of party.

On November 8 this year, D.C. residents will vote not only for a Member of Congress and Members of the D.C. Council, they will vote on whether they desire to become the 51st state, and, if so, on the constitution for the new state.

Making the District of Columbia our nation's 51st state would overcome the longest denial of democracy by our country to any of its citizens. Surely, 215 years of second-class status for the American citizens who live in the nation's capital can no longer be tolerated, especially today, when D.C. residents pay the highest federal taxes per capita in the United States.

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