Simone Lawson
The US Constitution's District Clause, found in Article I, Section 8, permits the establishment of a District (not exceeding ten miles square) [...] to become the seat of the government of the United States. This clause led to the creation of Washington, DC, as a separate national capital, with Congress establishing the federal district in 1790. Despite this, Washington, DC, has faced challenges in achieving equal representation and statehood, with ongoing movements advocating for its recognition as the 51st state.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Washington, DC's status | Not a state, but a district. DC stands for District of Columbia. |
| DC's representation in Congress | Lacks voting representation in Congress. |
| DC's representation in the Senate | Has no representation in the Senate. |
| DC's residents' representation in the Electoral College | Three votes in the Electoral College for the election of president and vice president. |
| DC's residents' federal tax contribution | DC residents pay more in federal taxes per person than any other state. |
| DC's residents' say in federally appointed positions | DC residents have no say in federally appointed positions. |
| DC's residents' say in the confirmation of federal judges | DC residents have no voice in the confirmation of federal judges. |
| DC's residents' say in the confirmation of justices to the US Supreme Court | DC residents have no voice in the confirmation process for justices to the US Supreme Court. |
| DC's budget | Local taxes, not federal dollars, constitute the vast majority of the District's budget. |
| DC's population | 712,000+ people |
| DC's Delegate in the US House of Representatives | Can sit on and vote in Committees, can introduce legislation, can participate in legislative debates, but cannot vote on bills being considered by the full House. |
| DC's statehood | Not yet been granted statehood. |
| DC's name if granted statehood | Washington, Douglass Commonwealth. |
| DC's constitutional status | The US Constitution provides that the district, "not exceeding 10 Miles square," would "become the Seat of the Government of the United States." |
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What You'll Learn
The District Clause
> [The Congress shall have Power] To exercise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten miles square)
The creation of Washington, DC, also known as the District of Columbia, comes directly from the US Constitution, which provides that the district "not exceeding 10 miles square" would "become the Seat of the Government of the United States." Congress established the federal district in 1790 through the Residence Act, which placed the district on the Potomac River between the Anacostia and Connogochegue with the exact location chosen by President George Washington. The initial shape of the district was a square, measuring 10 miles (16 km) on each side, totaling 100 square miles (260 km2).
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Article I, Section 8
The specific powers outlined in Article I, Section 8 include the ability to set taxes, tariffs, and other means of raising federal revenue, as well as the authorization of federal fund expenditures. This power to appropriate funds is known as the "power of the purse" and gives Congress significant authority over the executive branch, which must appeal to Congress for funding.
Additionally, Congress has the power to coin money, establish the postal service, create the army and navy, and form lower federal courts. They also hold the responsibility for declaring war and determining naturalization processes for immigrants.
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The 23rd Amendment
Washington, DC, is not a state; it is a district, formally known as the District of Columbia. Its creation is outlined in the US Constitution, which states that a district "'not exceeding 10 miles square' would become the 'Seat of the Government of the United States.' Congress established the federal district in 1790, taking land from the states of Maryland and Virginia, to serve as the nation's capital.
The amendment gives the District of Columbia a number of electors of President and Vice President equal to the number of Senators and Representatives in Congress that it would have if it were a state. However, the number of electors cannot exceed the number held by the least populous state. These electors are in addition to those appointed by the states and are considered, for the purposes of the election, to be electors appointed by a state. They meet in the District and perform the duties outlined in the 12th article of amendment.
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Statehood proposals
Washington, DC, is not a state but a district, formally known as the District of Columbia. The US Constitution states that the district would "become the Seat of the Government of the United States" and that it would not "exceed 10 Miles square".
The residents of Washington, DC, have long been denied the full rights of citizenship enjoyed by residents of the 50 states, including voting representation in Congress. DC residents pay federal taxes, serve in the military, pay into social security, and fight in America's wars, yet they have no say in how their tax dollars are spent and no votes in Congress.
There have been several proposals and attempts to grant Washington, DC, statehood over the years. In 1979, the DC Voting Rights Amendment, which would have given DC representation in the House and the Senate, passed both houses of Congress but was only ratified by 16 states, short of the 38 needed. In 1982, the Constitution of the State of New Columbia was ratified and enacted into law in 1987. In 2016, a new "Constitution for the State of New Columbia" was released, and a District-wide statehood referendum was approved. However, Washington, DC, has not been granted statehood, so this constitution is not yet in effect.
More recently, in 2020 and 2021, the House passed H.R. 51, the Washington, DC Admission Act, which would admit "Washington, Douglass Commonwealth" as the 51st state. The bill would turn most of present-day Washington, DC, into a new state, with equal footing and voting representation in Congress. A small area comprising the Capitol, White House, National Mall, and other federal grounds would remain under congressional authority. The bill passed the House by a vote of 232-180 in 2020 and 216-208 in 2021, but it has stalled in the Senate, where Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to bring it for a vote.
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DC's lack of voting rights
The residents of Washington, DC, have long been denied voting rights, despite paying federal taxes and serving in the armed forces. The District of Columbia is not a state, and the US Constitution does not grant it voting representation in Congress. The Constitution vests Congress with the power to admit new states and establish a federal capital district, but it failed to provide representation for the district's residents. This has resulted in DC residents being treated as second-class citizens, with no say in federally appointed positions and no voice in the confirmation of judges and justices.
The lack of voting rights for DC residents can be traced back to the early 19th century. In 1801, the Organic Act was passed, and Congress voted to take control of the District of Columbia, resulting in the loss of voting rights for DC residents. Over the years, there have been several attempts to restore voting rights to the district. In 1961, the Twenty-third Amendment was adopted, granting the district some votes in the Electoral College, but this did not provide full representation. In 1979, the DC Voting Rights Amendment passed both houses of Congress but was only ratified by 16 states, falling short of the required 38.
The movement for DC statehood gained momentum in recent years, with the House passing the Washington, DC Admission Act in 2020 and 2021. If passed by the Senate and signed into law, it would admit "Washington, Douglass Commonwealth" as the 51st state, granting voting rights to its residents. However, the bill has faced opposition and has not yet become law. Opponents argue that the district lacks the population and resources necessary for statehood, despite its population being similar to several states.
The denial of voting rights to DC residents has been linked to the area's racial demographics and Black political power. Disenfranchising Black voters has been a part of the rationale against expanding voting rights in American history. As the district has a significant Black population, the debate over DC statehood and voting rights has been influenced by racial dynamics.
The slogan "End Taxation Without Representation" highlights the frustration of DC residents, who pay federal taxes without having a say in how those taxes are spent. DC residents are like any other Americans, with diverse occupations and contributions to society. They deserve the same rights and representation as citizens in the 50 states, including the ability to elect voting members of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
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Frequently asked questions
The District Clause, found in Article I, Section 8, Clause 17 of the US Constitution, states: " [The Congress shall have Power] To exercise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten miles square)".
The District Clause gives Congress the power to establish a federal capital district, Washington, DC, with a maximum area of 100 square miles.
The Twenty-third Amendment to the US Constitution was ratified in 1961, granting Washington, DC, three votes in the Electoral College for the election of president and vice president.
The Washington, DC Admission Act is a bill that would turn most of present-day Washington, DC, into a new state called the Douglass Commonwealth.
The argument for Washington, DC, statehood is that the district's residents should have full voting representation in Congress, including the Senate.
