Washington, D.C. Admission Act

Senate Bill

S. 51

119th Congress

Washington, D.C. Admission Act

In Committee

Introduced:Jan 9, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Chris Van Hollen

Senator

Democratic

MD

Cosponsors

43

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Government Operations and Politics

Summary

This Senate version would admit Washington D.C. as the 51st state named 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 gain two Senators and one Representative with full voting rights.

Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This Senate version would admit Washington D.C. as the 51st state named 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 gain two Senators and one Representative with full voting rights.

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 51st state called Washington, Douglass Commonwealth
Preserves federal enclave for Capitol and monuments
Grants two Senators and one Representative
Transfers DC laws and judicial authority to new state
Creates transition commission for statehood process

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

Over 700,000 D.C. residents would gain full congressional voting representation. The Senate balance would shift with two new seats from a heavily Democratic jurisdiction. This Senate companion to H.R. 51 faces the same constitutional and political debates about D.C. statehood.

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-s-51