D.C. Statehood: A Brief Background Report

Read about this 1987 CRS Report that documents arguments for and against D.C. statehood.

Congressional Research Service, CRS Report for Congress: D.C. Statehood: A Brief

Background Report, by Bette A. Taylor, 87-609 GOV, Washington, D.C.: Library of

Congress, 1987.https://congressional.proquest.com/congressional/docview/t21.d22.crs-1987-gov-0085?accountid=14784 (accessed November 6, 2021). The above image is the first page of this document.

“This report presents arguments for and against the effort to grant Statehood to the residents of District of Columbia. Enactment would result in full self-government for the District and voting representation in the Congress. H.R. 51, a bill to accomplish this purpose, was reported in the House on June 2, 1987.”

This July 1987 CRS report provides a historical background on voting representation in Washington D.C. from 1790 to 1987 and a list of arguments for and against H.R. 51, which would grant statehood to D.C. According to the historical background, H.R. 51 was introduced in the 100th Congress by D.C. Delegate Walter Fauntroy on January 6, 1987. This document includes eight arguments that support H.R. 51 and seven arguments that are against this bill.

"Civil rights Icon Walter Fauntroy 2" by John Mathew Smith & www.celebrity-photos.com is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

Effectiveness

This document is effective in its overall purpose to provide historical background on DC voter representation and to provide arguments for and against H.R. 51. It is not overly long, as it is 12 double-spaced pages and written in plain language. The pros and cons of H.R. 51 are clearly numbered. This document is written in typewriter font, which some people may find difficult to read. This document is not confusing to read, but citations would have been useful to include, both for the historical background and for the arguments for and against H.R. 51. A list of notable proponents and opponents would have also been helpful.

This document is very useful for researchers who are interested in H.R. 51’s early historical context as it was first proposed in 1987. Interestingly, the 7th argument in favor of H.R. 51’s passage is that any opposition to Statehood is “veiled racism, because a majority of the residents of the District are black” (Taylor, CRS-7). It is important to note that systemic racism was one of the early concerns in ongoing debate surrounding D.C. statehood, which continues today.

1987 Arguments for Statehood

These are the summarized arguments that are made in favor of statehood:

1. There is nothing in the Constitution that bars Statehood.

2. The lack of statehood status is anti-democratic, as D.C. citizens still hold the same burdens of citizenship as other Americans.

3. The lack of statehood status is "taxation without representation."

4. D.C. has economic viability.

5. The size of D.C.’s population justifies Congressional representation.

6. Every other democratic nation in the world gives voting representation to residents of the federal capital.

7. Opposition to statehood is veiled racism.

8. D.C.’s experience with government so far demonstrates readiness for statehood responsibilities.

1987 Arguments against Statehood

These are the summarized arguments that are made against statehood:

1. Granting Statehood to the Capital is unconstitutional.

2. Maryland’s 1791 cession would be violated.

3. Creating a new state is not necessary to provide D.C. residents with Congressional voting representation.

4. Granting Statehood goes against the 23rd amendment.

5. D.C. does not have economic viability.

6. D.C. already has congressional representation via House and Senate committees.

7. There are only four other states with similar population sizes, but their geographical size is more significant.