(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser issued the following statement after a coalition of DC business organizations sent a letter to Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton formally endorsing the Washington, D.C. Admission Act (H.R. 51) ahead of Thursday’s DC statehood hearing.
“The business community is right: DC statehood is not only good for our nation’s democracy, it is also good for our local and regional economies. Without statehood, our lack of representation has far-reaching consequences for our residents, our local entrepreneurs, and the region’s ability to attract and retain businesses and advocate for the types of policies that make sense for our community. Furthermore, with a vote in the House and two in the Senate, local and regional stakeholders would be better equipped to work together to take on our biggest challenges – from improving Metro, to expanding affordable housing and transportation infrastructure, to combating climate change. We have built historic support for statehood by telling our story, and making it clear that this is not a Democratic or Republican issue but an American issue. We are proud to go into Thursday’s hearing with broad support for DC statehood – locally, regionally, and nationally.”
The letter was signed by:
- Federal City Council
- Greater Washington Board of Trade
- DC Hospital Association
- DC Chamber of Commerce
- Apartment and Office Building Association of Metropolitan Washington
- District of Columbia Building Industry Association
- Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington
- Hotel Association of Washington, D.C.