Senate Will Hold Historic Hearing on D.C. Statehood
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 15, 2021
CONTACT:
press@51for51.org
Senate Will Hold Historic Hearing on D.C. Statehood
Washington, D.C. — Today, it was officially posted that the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, led by Chairman Gary Peters of Michigan, will hold a hearing on S.51, the Washington, D.C. Admissions Act, on June 22nd — almost a year after the bill passed the House for the first time ever. This announcement comes after 51 for 51 led over 100 groups in writing a letter calling on Senator Peters to hold a public hearing for the bill. This will mark the first Senate hearing on D.C. statehood after a bill has already passed the House in U.S. history. The last time the Senate held a hearing on D.C. statehood was in 2014, but legislation had not yet passed the House.
Jamal Holtz, Lead Advocate of 51 for 51, issued the following statement:
“This Senate hearing will show our fellow Americans what D.C. statehood truly is: the most urgent civil rights battle of our lifetimes. To grant 700,000 majority Black and Brown Americans full voting rights, D.C. must become the 51st state — not in the next Congress, not in the next decade, but now. The movement for D.C. statehood has never had more momentum, and this hearing proves that the Senate is ready to finally realize our vision for a more equitable democracy. We thank Senator Peters for taking this historic step.”
The Washington, D.C. Admissions Act has record support with 46 Senators on the bill. Recently, nearly 40 of the nation’s leading constitutional law scholars sent a letter to congress affirming the constitutionality of D.C. statehood. And in April, the Biden White House put out the first ever Statement of Administration Policy in support of H.R. 51. With support growing by the day, the June hearing is set to further advance momentum in the fight to finally enfranchise the residents of D.C.
To speak with a representative of 51 for 51, please contact press@51for51.org
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51 for 51 is a coalition of D.C.-based and national groups committed to equal representation for the over 700,000 D.C. residents who remain locked out of our democracy. The coalition of 20 progressive groups believe American citizens living in the District deserve a voice in Congress and control over their own local laws. Already, President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Senators Warren, Markey, Gillibrand and Hickenlooper have endorsed 51 for 51’s proposed path to statehood.
Additional Information
Website: https://www.51for51.org/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/51for51