Washington, d. C. In order to become law, it would need to be approved by the senate but Majority Leader Mitch Mcconnell said in an interview, the measure is not going anywhere. Some remarks prior to the house vote from d. C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes enormousen. The chair recognizes the gentlemen lady from the District Of Columbia. I yield one minute to the gentle lady from california, the speaker of the house of representatives, nancy pelosi. The compare recognizes the speaker of the house of representatives. Rights act for all or whether its observing the 100th anniversary right to aving the vote and whether it is about ourng full participation in democracy to the District Of Columbia. In wearingo join her this mask, 51st. Why this legislation, h. R. Statehood. C. Ill talk about now. But congresswoman Eleanor Holmes been brilliant, relentless, precystent, about the lackrsistent about of full participation in her work in congress. So i salute her. The patron state and guiding star of the d. C. Statehood Even Congress but e to since she came to congress and he has worked tirelessly and relentlessly to build historic support for this bill and you honor of e articipating in this historic vote. In the house of representatives, for the first time, well vote for district. D. C. Statehood, mr. Speaker, is official and personal priority for me. Say lleagues have heard me this but ill say it again. Hen i was born my father was a member of congress from baltimore, maryland. Appropriations committee and he served as chair of the d. C. Appropriations subcommittee. Time, they tell me, that person would be regarded as the of unofficial mayor of washington because that Appropriations Committee made decisions, so many decisions for the District Of Columbia. A big supporter of home rule. Perspective the unfairness of it all, a big of home rule. His job event, he did in a way to try to make a path. Path, later home rule and later a mayor and the rest and now. O where we are so yesterday someone said, can you find middle ground . Ground. Middle the status quo. We have to go forward. Privilege ofad the serving on the Appropriations Committee, on the district of subcommittee, and i saw rule that es to home some in our congress would put diminishing, diminishing the selfdetermination that the the District Of Columbia should have. Statehood for the district is for our wing respect democracy. Its not just about the district. Democracy. Our for the American People and for constitution. The constitution begins with our we the l preamble, people, setting out our a governmention of of, by, and for the people of the United States. Except for the District Of Columbia. Yet, for more than two residents of washington, d. C. , have been denied their full right to fully democracy. In our instead, they have been dealt he injustice of paying taxes, serving in the military, and contributing to the economic of our nation while being enfranchisement that is their right. In the military. Ighting, risking their lives for our democracy. Isdamental to that democracy Representative Government. Lives for risk their a principle, for a value, for while they live that full enied opportunity. Oday, by passing h. R. 51, washington, d. C. Admissions act, state of he washington, douglas of onwealth, state commonwealthouglas to the union, frederick ouglass, from maryland, who lived in District Of Columbia, a suffragist. He was in seneca falls at the women, so much bout our democracy and voting for all americans. In doing so today, we will bring closer to the founding ideals that all are and all deserve a say in our democracy. Urge a bipartisan ere a strong vote in the house for this very important legislation, legislation our democracy, to our constitution. Salute ank, again, and Eleanor Holmes norton for her eadership, working with our distinguished leader, mr. Hoyer, brought this as a priority. Thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield back. He speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman reserves. The chair recognizes the gentleman from georgia. How much time do we have remaining . 1 2 peaker pro tempore 18 minutes. Mr. Hice how much . The speaker pro tempore the 18. Leman from georgia has mr. Hice thank you, mr. Speaker. Would say again our constitution has representation here in our capital from the of the states and this district was set apart not o be a state nor to be influenced by one. And with that i would like to good two minutes to my friend, the gentleman from kentucky, great member of the committee, mr. Massie. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman from kentucky. Mr. Massie i thank the georgia. N from mr. Speaker, if there is a constitutional way to turn d. C. Is not tate, this bill it. This bill is an exercise in egislative virtue signaling because it contains a fatal constitutional flaw. Ets talk about what this bill doesnt do. This bill doesnt magically convert all of d. C. Into a state. Doesnt create a new state containing a city called d. C. These clearly violate the constitution. Ome overly clever legislative artists think they found a new loophole, a way to create a violating c. Without the constitution. What this bill does is it city of d. C. Into a ti tiny city and then creates a a territory thats left over. The problem about that, the 23rd constitution he that gives the city of d. C. Electoral votes. The bill itself acknowledges the constitutional flaw within because it contains an expedited to vote on repeal of the 23rd amendment in this ber. Er and the senate chat the bill chamber. The bill keeps plowing forward if the 23rd amendment is not repealed. Farcecal es the situation the few residents, the at 1600 pennsylvania venue, they would have three electoral votes. Thats crazy. I urge my colleagues to vote for vote nstitution today and against h. R. 51. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. Recognizes the gentlewoman from the District Of Columbia. Norton mr. Speaker, the last thing we have to be whether or out is not the 23rd amendment will be repealed. Bill, h. R. 51, contains that. Edited procedure for im pleased to yield one minute from maryland, my Good Neighbor and good friend, the majority leader of representatives, steny hoyer. The speaker pro tempore the chair recognizes the gentleman maryland. Mr. Hoyer im going to leave my on. Not because its not safe for me but for you. It represents e the best of america. From maryland. Aryland was a slaveholding state. I represent the district that probably had the most slaves, from the my friend first congressional district. Were many ere sympathizers for the southern had that would have maryland join the confederacy. Were, of course, wrong. But i want to tell my friends states who withdrew to whose states tried destroy the union that they to remember that this without ok them back condition, with full citizenship to vote. Ight the same for do fellow citizens. Mr. Speaker, i rise in strong of this bill and i thank delegate Eleanor Holmes norton her extraordinary quest, the prize to e on ake sure that the citizens she represents have full citizenship. Im proud to stand with her in supporting statehood for the people of the District Of Columbia. On this mask there is a drawing of the outlines of the District Of Columbia. Hat is maryland. Before the 1789 and subsequent actions. That was maryland. I dare say there is not a marylander who voted on that secession of that land for the capital of the United States who thought to themselves they were disenfranchising those who ived in that district. I want to thank mayor bowser with whom i have been proud to work to move this issue forward with the leadership of delegate holmes norton. I made clear when we announced that the house would consider this bill today the people who call our Nations Capital home have been disenfan chiesed and shortchanged disenfranchised and shortchanged for too long. Martin luther king said how long . Too long. Not overwhelm have the residents of one of americas most historically africanamerican cities, let me repeat that, historically one of our largest africanamerican cities, it is not exclusive, it is a diverse city. And very frankly, it does not make a decision that if you dont vote for us, we will not allow you to vote. Hear me. If you dont vote for us, we will not allow you to vote. But President Trump says, my friends on the other side of the aisle, mr. Speaker, would be foolish to vote for this bill. Why . Because we are too democratic. And we wouldnt vote for you. What do you think the north would have done with the 11 states that tried to destroy the union if we had said you are not going to vote for us and you cant come back. At least you cant come back with Voting Rights. We will keep you as subjects not as citizens. I hope every one of you that represents one of those states thinks about that proposition. 706,000 e to exclude of your fellow citizens from full participation in our democrattry. Democratcy. Not only have the residents of one of americas great cities been prevented from having full citizenship, but they have also been shortchanged in the money we give them. Just creeptly, covid19 just recently, covid19, we gave them 40 of what we gave wyoming, an entity 200,000 people smaller than the istrict of columbia. I see no head shaking on the other side of the aisle, mr. Speaker. See no agreement on that. Should we say, wyomings too small. That we ought to exclude wyoming . Not big enough to be a state. Et wyoming, more than 10 times smaller than the state of maryland, and as opposed to 40 Million People in california, 500,000, 1 80th of the size have two United States senators. Stand up if you think wyoming at not ought not to have a vote. I see no one standing. And this constitutional argument is a don can hoe at this quixote windmill argument. This is 706,000 american citizens. Same time their elected leaders can be overruled by congress antipresident when it comes to local issues as we saw when President Trump ordered federal Law Enforcement and the National Guard to suppress peaceful age legitimate protests against the killing of black men and women it encounters with the police and with others. George zimmerman comes to mind. Trayvon martin. This is about human rights. This is about democracy. This is about our nation being better than that. I see my colleague from maryland shaking his head. We disagree. The people of d. C. Deserve not only real selfgovernment but also full representation in the congress of the United States. Are these 700,000 people less than the 500,000 people in wyoming . If we ask somebody to come to the District Of Columbia and work for our government, is the condition that they lose their citizenship . That they lose their full Voting Rights . Is that the condition we put on them . If so, i respectfully disagree. With my colleagues who believe thats what america is about. Thats what this historic legislation would do. Admit washington, d. C. , as the 51st state. That would provide residents of the District Of Columbia with a voting house member and two enators. As every other group of americans that lives in a jurisdiction called a state has the right to have. It would right historical wrong to ensure our founders vision of Representative Government would be enacted for all americans no longer excluding the 70 ,000 in the District Of Columbia. The house will 70 ,000 in the District Of Columbia. The house will make action today to make the District Of Columbia a statement it is an historic day. Be on the right side of history. So many voted against the Civil Rights Act of the 1960s and years thereafter. They were on the wrong side of history. Do not have youre absolutely right. Somebody mentioned there was democrats. E were a segregationist party. And guess what . We said we do not want to be hat kind of party. And Hubert Humphrey got up in 1948 in new york at a Democratic Convention said we need to come out of the dark shadows of slavery and segregation into the Bright Sunlight of justice and equality. Yes, i understand. That was our party. And we said to them, we do not want to be that party. Dont you be that party. Dont you have lincoln turn over in his grave and said thats not our party. Yes, i heard you over there. Sadly in denial, in the denial of democracy, Republicanled Senate has indicated, mr. Speaker, it will not act. Just as it has not acted on 275 bipartisan bills that we have sent to the United States senate. They will not act. A senate is elected by 18 of the American People, the majority of the senate. That is unfortunate, mr. Speaker, because this is more than just a local issue for the District Of Columbia. It is a civil rights issue for our country as yesterday was a civil rights issue for our country. It is something that ought to concern all americans because when some americans are denied the full rights and representation of citizenship, it diminishes the meaning of citizenship for all. Statehood is not merely a status. It is a recognition by the rest of the states of the sovereign equality of the people who live there. That they are part of the main. Not simply an island. As the poet reflected. And that they cannot be treated as lesser by their fellow citizens, by admitting washington, d. C. , as a state we will admit what we already know to be true. That its people are fellow americans. Equal in their pursuit of happiness and enjoyment of the full rights and privileges of the american citizenship. Including representation in the congress of the United States. Our patriot forebearers in the 18th century used to cry out, no taxation without representation. The citizens of boston stole some tea, a criminal act, and they threw it into the boston harbor. Why . Because they said we will not be taxed without representation. That king george cannot tell us what to do without consulting us. Be on the right side of history. Washington residents correctly still use that battle cry in the 21st century. Let us make it ring true at last. Let us make our union of states a more perfect one by adding to 37 times, as we have consistent with the onstitution. I urge, mr. Speaker, my colleagues, to stand up for america. Stand up for democracy, stand up for the premise of america that every person counts. Vote yes. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from District Of Columbia reserves. Members are reminded to address the chairs, please. The gentleman from georgia is recognized. Mr. Hice thank you, mr. Speaker. I feel like the arguments on the other side of the aisle are so weak that they respond by yelling louder. We just heard a great passionate speech about something that is totally irrelevant. The point was highlighted that the condition for statehood is not population. Otherwise we would not have states like wyoming or alaska or other states that were ever admitted. That is not the issue. The issue is washington, d. C. , was set apart as a seat of government. Not to be the same as the federation of states that our constitution grants us. With that id like to yield three minutes to my good friend and great leader, mr. Roy from texas. Mr. Hoyer is the gentleman aware that the district of lumbia was reduced in size historically a while back . That the land was reduced this is whats happening here. There is clear precedent for doing this. I thank the gentleman for ielding. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Roy i thank the gentleman from georgia. Appreciate the opportunity to address this important issue. The question the gentleman from maryland just asked, i hear the question. Their district bound dri lines have changed in the past. What the majority wants to do today is fundamentally alter, fundamentally alter what washington, d. C. , is. Thats whats at stake here. Id love to hear the gentleman from maryland expound on his support and belief in our Electoral College since suddenly my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have found newfound respect for the power of states and the importance of states. Id love to hear them expound on that. Id love to hear my colleagues on the other side of the aisle talk about what is critical about community and about respecting the ability of people to live differently. In order for us to agree to disagree. To allow texas to be texas. California to be california. Id love to hear my colleagues on the other side of the aisle expound on these principles. This is about power. Thats what this is about. Lets make no mistake about it. D. C. , do i not believe, should become a state. And i use that word importantly. Should not become a state. We can talk about the constitutional infirmities with what the majority is trying to do. My colleagues are doing that. They have laid that out. The constitution speaks to creating the federal city in washington, d. C. The founders wanted to do that for a reason. We wanted this seat to be completely unintertwined, separated from other states. We wanted it to be special and unique and not subject to the powers and struggles that go on about the people in a certain state. Thats whats at stake here. I would note that my friend, mr. Raskin, mr. Connolly, mr. Hoyer, mr. Beyer, they are the first to rattle, the very first to rattle if we dare go down the road of potential shutdown. If we dare go down the road of limiting the size and scope of the federal government. Why . Because the jurisdictions they represent are wholly and heavily dependent on this federal government. Im a proud texan dating back to 1850s, i grew up in loudoun county, virginia, and went to the university of virginia. When i grew number loudoun county, it was 80 dirt roads. One stoplight in my entire school district. It was a rural county. Fully separated from washington, d. C. Now it is the richest per capita county in the United States of america. Because leviathan grows. Because it separates from the real americans out there, the people throughout the entire country who are not being represented by this body. If we want to talk about representation, lets talk about this body doing its job to represent the people, the forgotten man, the American People are tired of watching their country burning to the ground. Statues being toppled. People getting killed in the streets. And we are spending time here today on an unconstitutional effort to create a state out of a federal city that the constitution contemplated being separated so that it could be unique and be the power seat of this great country. Thats what this is about and i yield back to the gentleman from georgia. The speaker pro tempore the reserves. From georgia the gentlewoman from the District Of Columbia is recognized. To norton im pleased yield two minutes to my good from , the gentleman state, that ceded land person perpetuity which was formed, congressman sarbanes. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Sarbanes our colleague talked about the District Of Columbia being special. About nothing second being second class which is what has happened to the residents of district. For two centuries, the people of the District Of Columbia have disenfranchised, denied fair representation, excluded democratic at experiment. Residents, who, just like my constituents, and pay constituents work hard, their taxes, and contribute every day to the betterment of society. Yet, they do not have an equal voice in this chamber. To remedy this great injustice. Norton should have the same opportunity that every one of our members does to see her name on that board for every vote. Walk into the well and committees her yea or nay on ehalf of the constituents she represents. Congresswoman norton, we thank you for your service and for tireless fight to bring dignity to the residents of d. C. Ngton, House Democrats committed to this moment when this body h. R. Year ago. N a we observe then and we reiterate today, there are no constitutional, historical, or economic reasons why the 700,000 americans who in the District Of Columbia should not be granted statehood. When americans of all political stripes are demanding greater voice and participation in the political town square, the residents of being forcibly kept out of the town square by this indefensible inbe aing rowmism. Enough is declaring enough. Its time to give a voice and a vote to the residents of the columbia. F i urge my colleagues to vote yes on h. R. 51. Yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman reserves. The gentleman from georgia is recognized. R. Hice thank you, mr. Speaker. To somehow paint a picture that second class city is absolute absurdity. Ithout question this the most influential city in this country, braperhaps in the worl. With that i yield two minutes to the gentleman from wisconsin, mr. Grothman. Mr. Grothman first, a little comment, maybe clearing things up. To everybody in the room, the phrase to the stands is r which it in the pledge and i think we all memorable comment of Benjamin Franklin at a time the constitution about he d, he talked was giving us a republic if we can keep it. Ow, at the time the constitution was drafted, our a efathers did include district which would be the for the country. Theforefathers put together United States and reached a ompromise between the 13 states. They realized at the time it would be ridiculous to break and give it two senators like all of the other states. It is , that is because so different and such a different than the states. The 50 he states, states, to a variety of degree, amount of ee agriculture. Theres virtually no agriculture, maybe somewhere greenhouse or something in the District Of Columbia. There is no manufacturing. Mining or logging or tiny we can so barely see it. Its a unique city because its on government jobs and tourist jobs coming to visiting buildings. Nment its not like any other state out there. State, re to become a its representatives would have spent all of their time almost getting more money for the city and already the federal government puts a great deal of money into the city. You couldnt complain that they do not have enough funds for city. Schools or their i believe their schools are somewhere in the top, if you consider it a state, somewhere top three or four in the ountry as far as funding per person. It would make no sense, say for wisconsin, to break off and give senators to milwaukee and two senators to the state. State. Ee is not a thank you. Yield the remainder of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from georgia reserves. The gentlewoman from the District Of Columbia is recognized. I am pleased to the gentlewoman from kelly. S, ms. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman is recognized. Kelly many of those serve he great nation have been denied the right to selfgovernment. Thats a founding principle of our great nation. D. C. Is home to more than 700,000 americans and yet they have no voting members of no voice in the senate. Establishing washington douglas would not create our nations smallest state per reliant on the federal government to survive. Are many states that are far more dependent on federal assistance. More in total income tax than the residents of d. C. Is continually treated as a territory. Calculations starve the local government. No taxation r, without representation. Well, d. C. Pays its faxes. De well, d. C. Pays its taxes. Ets be clear who is playing politics. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman reserves. The gentleman from georgia is recognized. Mr. Hice thank you, mr. Speaker. I would like to yield two leader from t texas, mr. Gohmert. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from texas is recognized. Mr. Gohmert thank you. To hear people that have been trained in the onstitution disregard it so, but were taught at law school he ability to rationalize absolutely anything. But the fact is article 1, 8, there is no one of have been es that brought in by congress that is the constitution like this district is. Says, specifically, to xercise this the right of congress exercise exclusive legislation in all cases over such district, not exceeding 10 miles square, as made by one, succession by particular states of congress tance become the seat of government for the United States. If you go aboback and you look the federalist paper 43, you debate at the time, they understood, we had the capital in new york city, we had in philadelphia, and that is dangerous. Because it means if youre by a state and the evof that state or in the middle, surrounded by the tate, then pressure can be brought to bear that would be so to the rest of the country. Look at the debate. Thats why its in there, to protect that. One of the things that we is wrong to hat it make people, the residents of of the District Of Columbia pay income tax. Bill since ling a 2008, i think it was, that would tax. Nate the federal none of the territories who also dont have full voting Members Congress pay federal income tax. Either. Uldnt thats a legislative fix we can do. Nd i look forward to stopping the the speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired, please. The gentleman from georgia reserves. The gentlewoman from the District Of Columbia is recognized. Time can much can i inquire how much time we have, please . The speaker pro tempore the gentleman has nine minutes. Mr. Hice thank you. The speaker pro tempore and the has 10 minutes. Ms. Norton i say to the the eman, everything about desire of citizens of to be equal. C. , that were pleased to continue to pay federal income taxes. Would be number one. And i appreciate his amendment. His amendment d because we want to be full citizens. Share. Ans paying our im pleased to yield to my good the Virgin Islands minutes, congresswoman stacey plaskett. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from the virgin recognized. Ms. Plaskett as a member representing the territories, id rather pay taxes than have treatment that this body gives to those that live in the territories. I believe its the greatest scam and an okie doke that youve llowed us not to pay taxes and hold that against us to ask for our equal treatment. So keep paying those taxes and your statehood one day. The United States territories not on epresent is also equal footing with the rest of the nation. Theres no representation in the u. S. Senate. Voting representation in the house of representatives. Vote for. , we cannot president. We know what its like to be part of the greatest country in he world but not a full participant. And it feels incomplete. S americans, we strive to be productive citizens and asset to the nation. D. C. Is a matter of fairness thats been slow in coming. His city, built by africanamericans with use of forced labor, contributes more taxes per person basis than many states. A punishment to americans living those capital, including working in policy or Public Service for the good of the disenfranchised when they establish a home in the district. Changed the boundaries slave 1800s to ensure owners could keep their slaves. We have changed the boundaries to allow for ee the federal city to still exists and the residents of d. C. To a state. Its been done by this body before. Dont make it seem like its omething that cant happen again. At this very moment, citizens nation are clamoring for change, equality and justice. We can deliver that for the people of d. C. It is time to do whats right this low the people of city to feel whole, to feel omplete, to feel like they matter. Support h. R. 51. Thank you. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman reserves. The gentleman from georgia is recognized. Mr. Hice thank you, mr. Speaker. It certainly can happen. Ust requires a constitutional amendment. Id like to yield two minutes to my good friend from maryland, dr. Harris. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from maryland is recognized. Mr. Harris thank you very much, mr. Speaker. Mr. You very much, speaker. I hope america is watching going on the floor today and theyre paying careful attention to this debate. After speaker from the other side of the aisle say things like its been before. The majority leader, clear press precedent. Yeah, theres clear precedent. We know the person who was in the chair before comes from the that was the clear precedent. When retrosession occurred. Colleagues on the other side of the aisle say this isnt politics. His is about getting Voting Rights. This is about things like this. Suggest that perhaps the people watching go to wikipedia history is the about the support for back to maryland. Mr. Speaker, this is not land. Ss this is marylands land. United gave it to the states for the sole purpose of a permanent federal enclave. Of hundreds of my colleagues on the other side of he aisle thinking its their land. Its marylands land. And if you want Voting Rights, simple. Do exactly what occurred in 1847 nd give the land back to maryland. Whoa. Wait a minute. Hats not what this debate is about. Because retrosession has been with no many times democrat supporters. In fact, the majority leader was congress when these bills were proposed. If what he really wants is rights, he should have cosponsored the bill. Ecause, mr. Speaker, you know if retrosession occurs, every single resident, except those in house, because of the amendment to the constitution, they get three electoral votes proposed legislation, every single one of those residents would have epresentation in congress and, yes, Eleanor Holmes norton could sit in congress representing from the state of maryland. This is a pure political employ. Thats why ploy. Thats why none of my colleagues will maryland will vote against this bill. Thats why they havent put in a recession bill. Thats why my hundreds of colleagues across the aisle will pretend this is congress land. This is not. The constitution is clear. If this land is given back to maryland the argument is, maryland doesnt want it back. Thats interesting. I sat in the Maryland Legislature with my colleague who is sitting across the aisle right now. If marylanders are so concerned or our representatives from maryland are so concerned about getting Voting Rights, its simple. Go to their colleagues in the maryland general assembly, fully controlled by the democrats, and say, lets take it back. Lets give those 700,000 people Voting Rights. Mr. Speaker, thats the correct approach. Dont steal this land from maryland. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from georgia reserves. The gentlewoman from the North Carolina is recognized. Ms. Norton important to note that maryland permanently ceded the land that now is part of the District Of Columbia. You cant get back what you permanently ceded. Its important to note that we have yet another, we have had several members from maryland speak and i am pleased to yield two minutes to yet another friend from maryland, the gentleman from maryland, congressman mfume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from maryland is recognized. Mr. Mfume thank you, mr. Speaker. I want to thank the distinguished delegate, congressperson from washington, d. C. , for her steadfast leadership on this. I had the opportunity to work with her predecessor back in the late 1980s in this chamber, delegate walter font the fauntroy, who passed torch. Delegate you have done a great job. It took 27 years to get this vote back on to the floor. I was there in 1993 when we came up short. Today im hoping and praying that this bill passes. I want to congratulate you on that and to remind others that this is not going to go away. At the end of the day, this is really about taxation without representation. One of the original 27 colonial grievances filed against the king which was a major cause of the revolutionary war. So when people in boston had the tea party and threw tea in the bosston harbor in december of 1773, they were making a statement and setting an example for people across this nation to understand that we just cant tax people without allowing them to be represented. You have heard the great discussions, the cogent points about the fiscal side of this that d. C. Residents pay more taxes per capita than any other state. That they pay more general taxes than 22 states. That they have a budget here larger than 11 states. And a bond rating better than almost 30 other states. I have heard this discussion when it comes to fiscal matters about the Constitutional Federation of states, the great words of hamilton and the federalists in the federalist papers. I understand that. But one thing we have to remember when we raise hamilton and we talk about the federalists is that their stated belief was the constitution was meant to evolve. That it was a living document. Thats not my impression. Thats the impression and opinion of the federalists. So if that were not true i could not be here as a deskendskendant of the slave without the 13 this, 14th, and 15th amendment. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. Mr. Mfume the distinguished woman couldnt be here. She would not have the right to vote. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time has expired. Mr. Mfume when i were born i realize that, sir. Would you, madam chair the speaker pro tempore the gentleman is no longer recognized. The gentleman from georgia is recognized. Mr. Hice mr. Speaker, the constitution can change by amendment only. With that id like to yield two minutes to the gentleman from alabama, mr. Brooks. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from alabama is recognized. I will never vote to give washington, d. C. , separate statehood status. Washington, d. C. , is a city not a state. Its population is roughly 1 7 that of alabama. To add perspective, giving d. C. Statehood is the equivalent of giving jefferson county, alabama, or the Tennessee Valley separate statehood status. That is nuts. History is in order. The District Of Columbia originally was 100 square miles. 10 miles square. Part of d. C. Was in maryland. Part was in virginia. In 1847 the virginia part of the District Of Columbia was given back to virginia, leaving only the maryland portion of d. C. Still in d. C. These former d. C. Now virginia residents gained the right to vote on u. S. Senators, once senators became elected, rather than appointed. If d. C. Residents want to vote on u. S. Senators, fine. That can be done by following historical precedence and giving the residential portion of d. C. Back to maryland, giving the federal government portion, the capital, white house, monuments, the mall, federal buildings, and the like in d. C. But this option wont be offered by democrats because they dont care one twit about d. C. Residents voting on u. S. Senators. Rather, their goal is to more guaranteed two more guaranteed left wing senators. If offered i will offer to turn portions to maryland giving them the power to vote on marylands two u. S. Senators. I will never vote to give a sidge middling size city the same political power as one of americas great 50 states. I will never support this sham that is motivated by crass partisan political power, not a desire to let citizens of the District Of Columbia vote on u. S. Senators. Mr. Speaker, i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentlewoman from District Of Columbia is recognized. Ms. Norton may i inquire how much time does this side have. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman has 5 1 2 minutes. Ms. Norton i yield one minute to the gentlelady from california, the chair of the Financial Services committee, my friend, congresswoman maxine waters. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman is recognized. Ms. Waters thank you so very much. I rise to support h. R. 51, the washington d. C. Admission act, which would end centuries of taxation without representation and make washington, d. C. , the 51st state. Nobodys giving back anything. Washington, d. C. , is the home to more americans than two states. And more than 46 of the 700,000 residents are black. Make no mistake. Race underlies every argument against d. C. Statehood, and denying its citizens equal participation and representation is a racial, democratic, and economic injustice we cannot tolerate. It must be acknowledged that the chance to right these wrongs with todays vote would not be possible without my good friend, Eleanor Holmes norton. We were both elected at the same time. She has been doinged and dogged and consistent every single year since then in her fight for this bill and d. C. Statehood. Im so pleased to join my friend in todays milestone vote and im hopeful that eleanors long effort will finally give d. C. The rights they deserve. I yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman reserves. The gentleman from georgia is recognized. Mr. Hice mr. Speaker, i have no further speakers. Im prepared to close. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. The gentlewoman from District Of Columbia is recognized. Ms. Norton mr. Speaker, i yield one minute to my friend the gentleman from North Carolina, congressman g. K. Butterfield. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from North Carolina is recognized. Mr. Butterfield thank you, mr. Speaker. Thank you to delegate Eleanor Holmes norton for your years of leadership on this issue. Mr. Speaker, from 1910 through 1970 thousands of africanamericans from my district and from your district, mr. Hice, migrated to washington, d. C. , seeking employment and better opportunities than existed in the segregated south. They worked and worshipped and pay their taxes. They own and operate businesses here in d. C. They teach in the public schools. They are capitol police. They clean our offices. Miss holmes norton, i know very well some of your ancestors originated in my congressional district. Mr. Speaker, d. C. Residents pay the highest per capita federal income taxes in the country. They pay more federal taxes than residents of 22 states. Its a grave injustice that they dont have representation in this body. It is time to say to the citizens of this city that they, too, are american citizens and deserve to be part of this great union with full rights of citizenship. What they dont need to hear on this floor today is for members to say i will never vote for d. C. Statehood. That is irresponsible. Thank you. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman reserves. The gentleman from georgia is recognized. Mr. Hice reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from georgia reserves. The gentlewoman from District Of Columbia is recognized. Ms. Norton mr. Speaker, i yield one minute to the gentleman from georgia, congressman hank johnson. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from georgia is recognized. Mr. Johnson thank you, mr. Speaker. Article 4, section 3. 1 provides that new states may be admitted by congress into this union. There is absolutely no requirement for constitutional amendment. I was born and raised in washington, d. C. , spending my formative years in this great domain and i grew up knowing that my parents paid taxes but had no voting representation in congress. It was paradoxical that i learned in school that the cries of patriots, no taxation without representation, did not apply to the people of this great domain. We obeyed the same laws and paid the same taxes as our fellow americans, but we had no hope in taking part in the governance of america. Thank the delegate, holmes norton, for keeping hope alive. Im here today to say its time to stop the disenfranchisement. This vote is long overdue and i intend to vote in favor of d. C. Statehood and i encourage my colleagues to vote yes. With that i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman reserves. The gentleman from georgia is recognized. Mr. Hice i continue to reserve, mr. Speaker. How much time do we have on our side, please . The speaker pro tempore the gentleman has four minutes remaining. The gentlewoman from District Of Columbia is recognized. Ms. Norton mr. Speaker, i yield one minute to the gentlelady from michigan, congresswoman haley stevens. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from michigan is recognized. Ms. Stevens thank you, mr. Speaker. I thank my esteemed and tireless colleague from the District Of Columbia, congresswoman holmes norton. In this very chamber we have throughout our nations history long debated statehood for many lands and many people. And adding new states we have. In 1837 michigan statehood was passed by congress as the 26th state. And signed by president jackson, who proudly stated, michigan was, quote, admitted into the union on an equal footing with the original states in all respects. In 1959, as we added hawaii to the union, the secretary of the interior declared, quote, the great statehood of hawaii will be granted and prove to the world that we practice what we preach. And now as we add washington, d. C. , and recognize the over 700,000 people, hundreds of thousands of federal taxpaying people to this union, we reaffirm, we restore, and we continue to flourish our democracy that man fests to promote the general welfare. Thank you. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleladys time has expired. The gentlewoman from reserves. The gentleman from georgia is recognized. Mr. Highs continue to reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from District Of Columbia is recognized. Ms. Norton how much time . Joip 1 1 2 minutes. Ms. Norton i yield po seconds 30 seconds to my good friend Sheila Jackson lee. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from texas is recognized. Ms. Jackson lee i want to give all acknowledgement to the outstanding gentlelady, Eleanor Holmes norton. President washington stayed, the constitution is the god which i will never abandon. Nothing in the constitution says that we cannot make the Washington State the douglas commonwealth. Frederick douglass said there is no power without struggle. The sons and daughters of washington, d. C. , laid down their life for this country in world wars. They stand for this country in service to this government. Why are we denying them their right. Alaska has 700,000plus people. There is no population requirement. The speaker pro tempore the gentleladys time has expired. Ms. Jackson lee make washington d. C. A state now. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman reserves. The gentleman from georgia is recognized. Mr. Hice i continue to reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from District Of Columbia is recognized. Ms. Norton yield 30 seconds to mr. Blumenauer of oregon. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from oregon is recognized. Miss blumenauer thank you. I am intrigued listening to my colleagues waxes eloquent about the divine creation of the District Of Columbia. Give me a break. It was oldfashioned horse trading between hamilton, madison, and jefferson like the declaration of enslaved people being 3 5 of a person. Without being able to vote for themselves just simply power for white people. Its time to recognize the reality of what i think was a corrupt deal and give the District Of Columbia the statehood it deserves. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves. Georgia is n from recognized. Mr. Hice i reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman from the district of recognized. Ms. Norton mr. Speaker, i reserve. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman reserves. The gentleman from georgia. Mr. Hice is the gentlewoman ready to close . Sir. Orton i am, the speaker pro tempore the gentleman from georgia is recognized. R. Hice thank you, mr. Speaker. Despite the passionate arguments that we have heard today 51, the plain truth is that washington, d. C. s of the s the Capital United states is exactly as our founders intended. Washington, d. C. , is a vibrant, special city, a unique position in our nations federal system. Not ations capital does exist within one state and, herefore, it is free from the influence of any state. And thats exactly the intention our institution and our founders. Constitution e proposal is going to be a constitution ur but practically speaking, d. C. Financially and otherwise as a microstate. Currently, washington, d. C. Raises about half of its annual udget through local taxes despite the fact they have some of the highest taxes in the nation. Of financial ack readiness for the responsibility statehood. Congress already dealt with this in the past in d. C. s inancial situation, we bailed it out in the 1990s after 20 selfrule. Roubled the majoritys bill does not take into account how these shortfalls would be remedied or how the taxpayers relieved. Statehood, first, the details majoritys s the proposal. In seeking to gain an extra two in the senate, democrats would strip this great historic ity of its special status and make it a shell state. Statehood ats proposal would leave us a state n name only and a tiny remnant of a Federal District. This is far from the intent of our founding fathers. A federation, a federation of states. No one who theres is a greater supporter of states rights than i am. States believe in rights, i cannot support this state. Coming a d. C. Is simply not equipped to statehood. F burden of if democrats were serious about granting representation to the d. C. , they would retroseeding the land back to maryland. Rejected roposed but over and over. If the d. C. Residents would go maryland, they would go back Senate Representation which is what this bill is after but statehood proposal is about olitics, all dressed up in noble arguments about isenfranchising and taxation without representation. But its just a big sham. The constitution is clear. A new state can be formed from or from erritories xisting states with their permission. But the current Federal District is not an existing state. Nor is it a territory. It is unique. And our framers specifically the constitution with a soimum size for the district as to prevent it from becoming a state. Eve been over this time and again. But h. R. 51 changes the clear intentions of our founders. District a state, we are going exactly against the framers and the intentions of our constitution. He framers crafted our constitution with the direct intent that we would have a district, the seat of our federal government that is not influenced by a state. Is what we have. And thats what we need to keep. 51 disregards the constitution and we cannot take this lightly. My colleagues to oppose this bill. The speaker and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the the District Of Columbia is recognized. Ms. Norton how much time is remaining . Po the speaker pro tempore 30 seconds. Minori bill, we standis out as our only democracy which enies democracy to the residents of its own capital leadership. Capital city. To leadership is bill until this ecognizes your capital city as equal in citizenship with the citizens of every member of the representatives. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlewoman yields. Expired. For debate has pursuant to House Resolution 017, the previous question is ordered on the bill, as amended. Engrossment is on and third reading of the bill. Aye. In favor say those opposed, no. Have it. Third reading. The clerk a bill to provide for state of to the washington, d. C. Into the union. The speaker pro tempore for what purpose does the gentleman rom pennsylvania seek recognition . Mr. Speaker, i have a motion to recommit at the desk. The speaker pro tempore is the opposed to the bill . Mr. Speaker, i am opposed to the bill in its current form. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman qualifies. The clerk will report the motion. The clerk mr. Keller of pennsylvania moves to recommit bill h. R. 51 to the committee on oversight and reform with instructions to to the he same back house forthwith with the following amendment page 3, before line 1 the following section 2, findings. Speaker, i ask unanimous consent to dispense with the reading. The speaker pro tempore without reading is he dispensed with. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from pennsylvania is in gnized for five minutes support of his motion. Mr. Keller mr. Speaker, i rise talk about how for over 200 years lawmakers have come from union to work the and live in this district. The city was not meant to be a of conquest, like the europe. Cities of it was not meant to be the hub of trade like the early american cities. Above anything, it was meant to represent a center of the ederation created by our institution. The city is tied to the idea of the american republic. Of collaboration. The star on the map representing the 50 stars on the flag. With the creation of a 51st of washington dug class commonwealth, the state of a county, that collaboration will be wrong. The majority believes its a pay for two o senators. Republicans need assurances that he interests of our constituents will be reflected in this new state that will have nationsluence over the federal government. And so my motion contains to h. R. 51 dditions that will require the president o assure certain amendments to the state constitution are incorporated before granting statehood. Reflect the ons entirety of the nations views. Not just those of cities democrats. By there is provision that prohibits the former capital becoming a sanctuary city. Hese are provisions that prohibit taxpayer funds being used for political campaigns. To protect ovisions americans Second Amendment rights. These are provisions that full funding for Law Enforcement, that prohibit the destruction of our national mon monuments, that prohibit autonomous zones. New the early entry of states into the union, congress has required that constitutions states reflect certain considerations before granting admission. West virginia were required to prohibit slavery. Various western states were to prohibit polygamy. These requests do not violate courts equal footing doctrine. But the idea of the state of commonwealth glas containing wholly within it the entirety of the Federal Capital in fact violate this doctrine. A state with a controlling nfluence over the nations federal government and capital is simply not on equal footing 50 states. Her it is above them. A vote for the majoritys design statehood is a vote for d. C. Superiority. The ounders recognized status of washington, d. C. House republicans do not support deviation from their vision. However, if the democrats insist this new state, it is only fair that it be with ished as a state policy values that more closely reflect the rest of the country. Vote in colleagues to favor of this motion to recommit. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the yields. N for what purpose does the gentleman from maryland rise . Urge that my colleagues oppose the motion to recommit. The speaker pro tempore does he gentleman rise in opposition . Mr. Raskin i rise in opposition. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized for five minutes. To urge all i want of our colleagues to reject this weak and unconstitutional motion recommit. The motion proposes to condition admission of washington douglas commonwealth on either imposition of the whimsical olicy preferences of the minority or simply restatements that the state will follow law, which obviously it must do under the supremacy the constitution. All of the states must. The paradigm example here and on their rs to be mind, and i am glad we have at down to this t issue, is to make sure the new state doesnt come in without an people t written by the of washington, d. C. Saying they will not charge people a fee for carrying a concealed weapon. Now, that is not in the u. S. Its not a and matter of federal law obligating the states the 50 states to it. So you cannot selectively impose state of e New Washington d. C. That is the washington, d. C. Thats the equal footing which the Supreme Court has emphasized repeatedly throughout its history, that any state we granted admission 37since the original 13, all have entered on the same plane 13. He original so they want to impose their various policy preferences on linings thick the things like the concealcarry weapon. That pass it for the entire country and it will apply within the new state as well. Do it think you can constitutionally but thats a separate matter. Or resign your seat from herever you happen to be from, if youre g, resign your if youre from georgia, resign your georgia. Move to the new state. Governor and get them to change their law. Thats a matter of local policy. The greatd think that champions of federalism and state rights would want to allow every right to make a decision itself. Mr. Speaker, a number of things have been said that need to be corrected. Friend from , my texas, mr. Roy, said that we for the real te americans. And hes going to speak for the real americans, not the people who live in washington. Hope he would reflect on that and issue an apology to the d. C. E of washington, but it seemed that the logic of the argument was that the only here are federal employees. And theyre different from the rest of america. For a ink about that second. In the first place, the overwhelming majority of federal not live in washington, d. C. As far as i can tell, less than of federal employees live in washington, d. C. , which means of them live in our states. In the rest of america. Hould those people be disenfranchised . Should people work for the post office lose their right to representation in congress . Should members of the armed forces be disenfranchised . The Supreme Court already said carrington vs. Rash. So check it out. He overwhelming majority of federal employees dont live in d. C. , and the overwhelming in rity of people who live d. C. And are the constituents of representative norton are not federal employees. Things. Other yes, they are real americans, too. They are bus drivers. Teachers. Chool they are Business People and entrepreneurs. On. Get real. Be serious. Get out and meet the people in washington. He gentleman from georgia said washington, d. C. , was set aside in the constitution as a Federal District. Former echoed by the judge from texas. But here our friends just unfamiliarity both with the constitution and with american history. Fix onstitution does not the geographic site of the socalled seat of government, district thats set aside for the seat of government. The s why after constitution was adopted, the capital was in new york for a while. It was in philadelphia for a while. That it was in trenten, new jersey. It was in princeton. It was annapolis. A whole room in annapolis set aside for where congress met. That you can look up the constitution and see the boundaries or the map of just gton, d. C. , is absurd. Have the congress authority to modify the boundaries of the federal istrict as proposed by ms. Norton . Of course, it does. We voted to do it in 1846 at the couple hundred of slaveholders in virginia who ere afraid that this congress would follow the advice of representative lincoln from said, abolish the slave traffic in washington, d. C. , and they were afraid it going to happen so fairfax a, arlington, was given back to virginia. There is no Legal Authority to in any way. If we can modify the boundaries to he Federal District placate a couple hundred of owners, we can and Housing Needs that have arisen due to the coronavirus. Follow the house live on cspan. The Senate Returns monday at 3 p. M. 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