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Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House2025-03-20

Vote Breakdown

No floor votes recorded.

Plain Language Summary

This joint resolution expresses North Carolina's support for admitting Washington, D.C., as a U.S. state and urges members of Congress to pass federal legislation to make this happen. The resolution does not create law in North Carolina but rather communicates the state's position to federal lawmakers.

Arguments in Favor

• •Supporters argue that D.C.'s approximately 690,000 residents pay more federal taxes than residents of 22 states and serve in the military and on juries, yet lack voting representation in Congress, violating the democratic principle of 'no taxation without representation.' They point out that D.C. residents passed a 2016 referendum supporting statehood by 86%, that other democracies grant capital residents full representation, and that Congress has repeatedly interfered with D.C.'s ability to spend its locally-raised revenue.

Arguments Against

• •Opponents typically argue that D.C.'s unique constitutional role as the nation's federal capital distinguishes it from other places seeking statehood, that the Constitution's Framers intentionally created D.C. as a separate federal entity, and that statehood raises questions about federal land and federal employees' voting status.
• •They may also contend that this is primarily a federal matter for Congress to decide rather than an appropriate focus for state resolutions.