enact laws that affect the district's functions and this is just the latest example of lawmakers trying to enforce policies that don't match the will of the people. residents argue that statehood is the only path to true representation. the senate will be taking up the issue of statehood in a hearing this week. nbc's trymaine lee talks with scholars and activists about what the outcome come heen for future generations. >> it's the last plantation, that's what we call it. they have the power to strip us of our citizenship and it's the plantation. that's massa in the house. >> 71-year-old aniece jenkins and 22-year-old jamal holtz are warriors on the front lines of d.c.'s fight for statehood. i met them on capitol hill where congress, not local city officials, have the final say on how the people of d.c. are governed. >> we have to hand deliver laws to get approval on the things