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Sen Maj Leader: 'DC Statehood Is An Idea Whose Time Has Come'

US
As the House of Representatives debates H.R. 51, a bill to make Washington, D.C. the US' 51st state, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) says on the Senate floor that "DC statehood is an idea whose time has come" and that Republican opposition to the bill is based on "denigrating the basic worth of the citizens of the District of Columbia".
  • D.C. statehood has been a long-held aim for Democrats, given that it would mean two more senators from the most pro-Democratic area of the entire country. D.C. statehood has historically been a fringe issue for Democrats, but its climb up the political agenda shows how important the administration and congressional Dems believe getting D.C. statehood is for holding onto power.
  • In the 2020 presidential election, an overwhelming 92.2% of the vote in D.C. went to the Democrats, with Vermont the next most-Democratic state with 66.1% voting for Joe Biden.
  • Given D.C. statehood would tip the balance of power in the Senate towards the Democrats on a more long-term basis, there would be staunch Republican opposition to a statehood drive, likely via the filibuster. Moreover, there is also no guarantee of full Democrat support in the Senate, with moderates such as Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) both failing to confirm their support for D.C. statehood.
  • As such, despite support from President Biden and H.R.51's expected passage through the House, the prospect of D.C. statehood looks more unlikely than likely at this point.

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