Washington D.C. Congresswoman Eleanor Norton Releases Statement on Historic House Vote on D.C. Statehood

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) celebrated House passage today of her District of Columbia statehood bill (H.R. 51). The bill passed by a vote of 216-208. The bill had 216 cosponsors, virtually guaranteeing passage. This was only the second time a chamber of Congress had ever passed the D.C. statehood bill. The first was when the House passed the bill last June.

“Today’s victory was historic, both for D.C. residents and for the cause of D.C. statehood,” Norton said. “For only the second time in history, the House passed the D.C. statehood bill. With Democrats in control of the Senate and White House, and with 54% of Americans supporting the bill, we have never been in a better position to achieve D.C. statehood.”

Washington D.C. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on passage of D.C. statehood bill

After managing the debate on the District of Columbia statehood bill (H.R. 51) on the House floor, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) celebrated House passage of the bill today with House leadership and her colleagues following overwhelming support by 232 Democrats, most of them cosponsors of the bill. The bill had 227 cosponsors, more than enough to guarantee passage. Neither chamber of Congress had passed the bill before.

“We are buoyed by the priority the House gave D.C. statehood at a time when COVID-19 has meant that only essential bills are coming to the floor this year,” Norton said. “We are undaunted by the lack of support in the Republican-controlled Senate, and the White House. We are certainly not discouraged by President Trump’s outspoken opposition to home rule and his attempts to control the District of Columbia and the city’s police force in acts of brazen presidential irresponsibility.

“Far from underestimating the work to come, however, our strategy is in place for full speed ahead. That strategy will soon become apparent, but today we celebrate.”