summary
Introduced
02/07/2020
02/07/2020
In Committee
02/11/2020
02/11/2020
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
12/31/2020
12/31/2020
Introduced Session
116th Congress
Bill Summary
To provide for the admission of the State of Washington, D.C. into the Union. This bill provides for admission into the United States of the state of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth, composed of most of the territory of the District of Columbia. The commonwealth shall be admitted to the Union on an equal footing with the other states. The Mayor of the District of Columbia shall issue a proclamation for the first elections to Congress of two Senators and one Representative of the commonwealth. The bill applies current District laws to the commonwealth and continues pending judicial proceedings. The commonwealth (1) shall consist of all District territory, with specified exclusions for federal buildings and monuments, including the principal federal monuments, the White House, the Capitol Building, the U.S. Supreme Court Building, and the federal executive, legislative, and judicial office buildings located adjacent to the Mall and the Capitol Building; and (2) may not impose taxes on federal property except as Congress permits. District territory excluded from the commonwealth shall be known as the Capital and shall be the seat of the federal government. The bill maintains the federal government's authority over military lands and specified other property. The bill provides for expedited consideration of a joint resolution repealing the 23rd Amendment to the Constitution, which provides for the appointment of electors of the President and Vice President. The bill continues certain federal authorities and responsibilities, including regarding employee benefits, agencies, courts, and college tuition assistance, until the commonwealth certifies that it is prepared to take over the authorities and responsibilities. The bill establishes the Statehood Transition Commission to advise the President, Congress, and District and commonwealth leaders on the transition.
AI Summary
This bill provides for the admission of the State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth into the United States. The key provisions of the bill are:
- It declares the State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth to be a state of the United States, admitted on an equal footing with the other states. It requires the Mayor of the District of Columbia to hold elections for two Senators and one Representative, who will then be admitted to Congress.
- It excludes certain federal buildings, monuments, and properties from the state and designates them as the "Capital" to serve as the seat of the federal government.
- It continues current District of Columbia laws and pending legal proceedings, and prohibits the state from imposing taxes on federal property except as permitted by Congress.
- It provides for the continuity of federal courts, agencies, and programs in the new state, including federal employee benefits, the U.S. Parole Commission, and tuition assistance programs.
- It permits individuals residing in the Capital to vote in federal elections in their state of most recent domicile, and repeals laws providing for the District's participation in presidential elections.
- It establishes a Statehood Transition Commission to advise on the transition process.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 347. (on 06/18/2020)
Official Document
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