Cindy Carr, cindy.carr@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C.-- Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 51, Congressmember Eleanor Holmes Norton’s bill to establish D.C. statehood. This is the first time in history D.C. statehood has passed a U.S. chamber of Congress. The District’s only member of Congress, Congressmember Eleanor Holmes Norton, has no voting power on the floor of the House of Representatives.
The Sierra Club passed a formal resolution in 2017 in support of D.C. Statehood, noting that “the rights of the residents of the District of Columbia are violated when the U.S. Congress imposes its will on local matters -- including important environmental issues facing the District -- and denies citizens who live in the District of Columbia voting representation on federal issues in both houses of the U.S. Congress.”
In response, Sierra Club D.C. Chapter Chair Catherine Plume released the following statement:
“Today’s historic vote is a major step toward fulfilling the democratic rights and representation for all D.C. residents. District residents pay more federal tax dollars per capita than any U.S. state. It is well past time for those who call the District home to be able to take meaningful action to address the climate crisis and racial injustice and have full control over how their tax dollars are spent. No longer should the 700,000 Americans in the District be at the mercy of the political whims of Senators and Representatives from other states.
“The Sierra Club applauds Congressmember Norton for her tireless leadership to ensure D.C. statehood, and we call on the Senate to pass H.R. 51 now.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.