(Washington, DC) Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser released the following statement after Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton introduced her DC statehood bill (H.R. 51) with a record number of original cosponsors (202) on the first day of the 117th Congress.
“We are grateful to Congresswoman Norton for her steadfast leadership in continuing to grow support for H.R. 51 and ensuring statehood remains a top priority for the Congress. 2020 was a historic year in our fight to become the 51st state with the first-ever House passage of a statehood bill. Now, we carry that momentum into 2021 with renewed hope and a president who knows our struggle and supports our cause.
“We do not yet know what the final makeup of Congress will be. But no matter the circumstances, we will continue to make our case to the nation that statehood is the only way for our 706,000 taxpaying residents to gain full and equal citizenship. We look forward to fighting alongside Congresswoman Norton, our allies in Congress, and our local statehood partners to right this historic injustice.”