Bill

Bill > AJR138


NJ AJR138

NJ AJR138
Urges Congress enact legislation granting statehood to Washington, D.C.


summary

Introduced
02/19/2026
In Committee
02/19/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026-2027 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This joint resolution urges Congress to enact legislation granting statehood to Washington, D.C. Residents of the District of Columbia share all the responsibilities of United States citizenship, including paying more federal taxes than residents of 22 states, serving on federal juries, and defending the United States as members of the United States Armed Forces, yet they are denied full representation in Congress. The residents of the District of Columbia themselves have endorsed statehood. In 2016, a referendum was passed favoring statehood by 86 percent.

AI Summary

This joint resolution urges Congress to pass legislation that would make Washington, D.C. a state. It highlights that D.C. residents, despite paying federal taxes, serving in the military, and fulfilling other civic duties like citizens in the 50 states, lack full representation in Congress, meaning they cannot vote for their representatives in the House and Senate. The resolution points out that D.C. residents themselves overwhelmingly supported statehood in a 2016 referendum, and that denying them self-governance and representation is inconsistent with democratic principles and international human rights standards.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations Committee (on 02/19/2026)

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