Congress' Power: Lawmaking In Washington, D.C

Washington DC is a historically Black city, with Black people still making up 44.66% of the population. Despite this, DC residents have no votes in Congress, meaning they are unable to control their own budget or their own laws. Congress can impose new and unwanted laws on the District, and routinely imposes its own political agendas on the District of Columbia and its residents. This is an American issue, critical on racial justice and democracy.

The District Clause of the Constitution

Under the District Clause of the Constitution (Article 1, Section 8, Clause 17), the US Congress has the authority to make laws for Washington, DC. This means that Congress can impose new and unwanted laws on the District, and routinely imposes its own political agendas on the District of Columbia and its residents. Congress reviews all DC legislation before it can become law and can modify or overturn it.

The District of Columbia is an incorporated city, and its voters have the right to elect a local legislature (called a Council) that can pass laws and levy a tax on real estate to pay for city services. However, DC residents have no votes in Congress and are unable to control their own budget or laws. They pay more taxes than residents in 19 states and more per capita to the federal government than any state, yet they are treated as second-class citizens.

The quest for statehood for the people of DC is about securing full representation in Congress, as well as rights to self-governance and local autonomy in the District of Columbia. On April 22, 2021, the DC Statehood bill passed in the House of Representatives for the second time in history, with a vote of 216-208. This legislation has overwhelming support among Senate Democrats and is seen as a critical issue for racial justice and democracy.

Congressional intervention

Washington, DC is a historically Black city, with Black people still making up 44.66% of the population. Despite this, American democracy systematically overrepresents White voters at the expense of Black voters and other voters of colour. This is one of the reasons why DC is fighting for statehood, which would give its residents full representation in the US Congress, as well as rights to self-governance and local autonomy.

Currently, DC is subject to Congressional intervention, with Congress exercising authority over DC local affairs. Congress reviews all DC legislation before it can become law and can modify or even overturn such legislation. Congress also retains authority over the District's local budget, most of which is funded by taxes levied by the District on its residents. Members of Congress routinely impose their own personal political agendas on the District of Columbia and its residents.

The quest for statehood for DC is about securing the rights that its residents deserve as American citizens. It is also about ensuring that the voices of Black voters and other voters of colour in DC are heard and represented in Congress.

DC's quest for statehood

Washington DC's quest for statehood is about securing full representation in the US Congress, as well as rights to self-governance and local autonomy in the District of Columbia. The US Congress continues to exercise authority over DC local affairs, reviewing all DC legislation before it can become law. Congress can modify or even overturn such legislation.

DC residents pay federal taxes, serve in the military and on juries, start businesses and families, and contribute to the national economy. However, they are unable to control their own budget or their own laws, and they have no votes in Congress. Washington’s residents pay more taxes than residents in 19 states and pay more per capita to the federal government than any state.

On April 22, 2021, the DC Statehood bill passed in the House of Representatives for the second time in history with a vote of 216-208. The legislation was introduced in both chambers and has overwhelming support among Senate Democrats.

DC's lack of representation in Congress

Washington DC is subject to the whims of the federal government, with Congress interfering with local laws, funding and operations. Despite paying more taxes than residents in 19 states and more per capita to the federal government than any state, DC residents have no votes in Congress. They are treated as second-class citizens, unable to control their own budget or laws.

Congress routinely imposes its own political agenda on the District of Columbia and its residents. Under the District Clause of the Constitution (Article 1, Section 8, Clause 17), the US Congress continues to exercise authority over DC local affairs. Congress reviews all DC legislation before it can become law and can modify or even overturn it.

The quest for statehood for the people of DC is about securing full representation in the US Congress, as well as rights to self-governance and local autonomy in the District of Columbia. In April 2021, the DC Statehood bill passed in the House of Representatives for the second time in history with a vote of 216-208. The legislation has overwhelming support among Senate Democrats.

DC residents have all the same responsibilities as their fellow Americans, but not the same rights. They pay federal taxes, serve in the military and on juries, start businesses and families, and contribute to the national economy. However, they are still unable to control their own affairs.

DC's lack of control over its budget

Congress can make laws for Washington D.C. as it retains authority over the district's local budget, most of which is funded by taxes levied by the district on its residents. Congress can also modify or overturn DC legislation. This means that DC lacks control over its budget.

DC residents pay more taxes than residents in 19 states and pay more per capita to the federal government than any state, yet they have no votes in Congress. They are treated as second-class citizens, unable to control their own budget or laws.

The quest for statehood for the people of DC is about securing rights to self-governance and local autonomy in the District of Columbia. Under the District Clause of the Constitution (Article 1, Section 8, Clause 17), the US Congress continues to exercise authority over DC local affairs.

The Charter granted by Congress made Washington an incorporated city and gave voters the right to elect a local legislature (called a Council) that could pass laws and levy a tax on real estate to pay for city services.

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