Washington, D.C. Admission Act

House Bill

H.R. 51

119th Congress

Washington, D.C. Admission Act

In Committee

Introduced:Jan 3, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Eleanor Holmes Norton

Representative

Democratic

DC-0

Cosponsors

204

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Government Operations and Politics

Summary

This bill would admit Washington D.C. as the 51st state called Washington, Douglass Commonwealth. A small federal enclave containing the Capitol, White House, Supreme Court, and monuments would remain as the national capital. The new state would elect two Senators and one Representative, and current DC laws would transfer to state authority.

Latest Action

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.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill would admit Washington D.C. as the 51st state called Washington, Douglass Commonwealth. A small federal enclave containing the Capitol, White House, Supreme Court, and monuments would remain as the national capital. The new state would elect two Senators and one Representative, and current DC laws would transfer to state authority.

Last updated: 1/5/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Washington, D.C. Admission ActThis 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.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Admits D.C. as the 51st state named Washington, Douglass Commonwealth
Preserves small federal enclave for Capitol, White House, and monuments
Grants the new state two Senators and one Representative
Transfers current DC laws and judicial proceedings to state authority
Establishes transition commission for orderly move to statehood

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

D.C. residents, currently over 700,000 people, would gain full congressional voting representation for the first time. The political balance in the Senate would shift with two new seats. Federal employees and operations in the capital enclave would continue unchanged.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Government Operations and Politics

Related Subjects

Congressional districts and representation

Congressional elections

Constitution and constitutional amendments

District of Columbia

Elections, voting, political campaign regulation

Government buildings, facilities, and property

House of Representatives

Legislative rules and procedure

Members of Congress

Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents

+1 more

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

51, 119th Congress (2025). "Washington, D.C. Admission Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-51