H.R. 51 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on Rules, Armed Services, the Judiciary, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned, Jan 3, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryWashington, D.C. becomes a state
This bill would turn most of the District of Columbia into a new state called Washington, Douglass Commonwealth. A central area containing the Capitol, White House, Supreme Court, and federal monuments would remain as the nation's capital under federal control. The new state would have two senators and one representative in Congress, and current D.C. laws would continue to apply there.
How it affects you
If you live in D.C., this would fundamentally change your status: you'd become a resident of a state instead of a federal district, which means you'd have full representation in Congress. The bill establishes a transition commission to help D.C. and federal agencies prepare for this shift, including transferring certain government services and responsibilities to the new state. For most Americans outside D.C., this would mainly affect how the nation's capital is governed, though it would require Congress to approve the change.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Jan 3, 2025)
Washington, D.C. Admission Act
This bill provides for the establishment of the State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth, and its admission into the United States.
The state is composed of most of the territory of the District of Columbia (DC), excluding a specified area that encompasses the U.S. Capitol, the White House, the U.S. Supreme Court building, federal monuments, and federal office buildings adjacent to the National Mall and the U.S. Capitol. The excluded territory shall be known as the Capital and serve as the seat of the government of the United States, as provided for in Article I of the Constitution. The state may not impose taxes on federal property except as Congress permits.
The bill provides for the DC Mayor to issue a proclamation for the first elections to Congress of two Senators and one Representative of the state. The bill eliminates the office of Delegate to the House of Representatives.
The bill applies current DC laws to the state. DC judicial proceedings and contractual obligations shall continue under the state’s authority. The bill also provides for specified federal obligations to transfer to the state upon its certification that it has funds and laws in place to assume the obligations. These include maintaining a retirement fund for judges and operating public defender services.
The bill establishes a commission that is generally comprised of members who are appointed by DC and federal government officials to advise on an orderly transition to statehood.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 51
A BILL
Washington, D.C. Admission Act
Sponsor: Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC-At Large) · Introduced Jan 3, 2025 · Government Operations and Politics · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Jan 3, 2025: “Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committees on Rules, Armed Services, the Judiciary, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.”
Sections
Sections · 1
Title I — State of Washington, D.C. · Subtitle A — Procedures for Admission · 3
Title I — State of Washington, D.C. · Subtitle B — Seat of Government of the United States · 6
- Sec. 111Territory and boundariesNo change
- Sec. 112Description of CapitalNo change
- Sec. 113Retention of title to propertyNo change
- Sec. 114Effect of admission on current laws of seat of Government of United StatesNo change
- Sec. 115Capital National GuardNo change
- Sec. 116Termination of legal status of seat of Government of United States as municipal corporationNo change
Title I — State of Washington, D.C. · Subtitle C — General Provisions Relating to Laws of State · 4
Title II — Interests of Federal Government · Subtitle A — Federal Property · 2
Title II — Interests of Federal Government · Subtitle B — Federal Courts · 4
Title II — Interests of Federal Government · Subtitle C — Federal Elections · 4
- Sec. 221Permitting individuals residing in Capital to vote in Federal elections in State of most recent domicileNo change
- Sec. 222Repeal of Office of District of Columbia DelegateNo change
- Sec. 223Repeal of law providing for participation of seat of government in election of President and Vice PresidentNo change
- Sec. 224Expedited procedures for consideration of constitutional amendment repealing 23rd AmendmentNo change
Title III — Continuation of Certain Authorities and Responsibilities · Subtitle A — Employee Benefits · 3
- Sec. 301Federal benefit payments under certain retirement programsNo change
- Sec. 302Continuation of Federal civil service benefits for employees first employed prior to establishment of District of Columbia merit personnel systemNo change
- Sec. 303Obligations of Federal Government under judges’ retirement programNo change
Title III — Continuation of Certain Authorities and Responsibilities · Subtitle B — Agencies · 6
Title III — Continuation of Certain Authorities and Responsibilities · Subtitle C — Other Programs and Authorities · 6
- Sec. 321Application of the College Access ActNo change
- Sec. 322Application of the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results ActNo change
- Sec. 323Medicaid Federal medical assistance percentageNo change
- Sec. 324Federal planning commissionsNo change
- Sec. 325Role of Army Corps of Engineers in supplying waterNo change
- Sec. 326Requirements to be located in District of ColumbiaNo change