Why Isn’t Washington, D.C., a State?

More people He lives in Washington, DCWho is in Vermont or WyomingBut they have no ruler, no representation of a vote in Congress, and only limited local authority. The reason is simple: Colombia Province Not a state. But should it be? This is where things become more complicated.

1. A safe space for the federal government
2. Continuous giving and taking
3. The modern batch of the capital of the capital

A safe space for the federal government

Washington, DC, was designed to be insecure from the beginning. the Utensils The idea of independent capital included “not exceeding ten square miles” in Article 1 Subordinate constitutionJames Madison argued at Federal 43 In order to “necessitate the indispensable of the full power at the headquarters of the government,” which he considered decisive to avoid “the adoption of the federal government … on the state.”

And so on Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson Approved Permanent site For the American capital in 1790, Maryland and Virginia were waived to form it. The idea will allow that the resulting region will allow the federal government to work without being owned by any specific member of the union.

Continuous giving and taking

But within a century of the founding of the capital, the motives for reducing independence have evolved and are now rooted in firmness in racial injustice. Just five years after the end Civil warIn 1870, the black population in the country’s capital grew more than three times what it was a decade ago (Pdf). newly Enfranccad Black men Electrify Black officials, Congress, stripped the capital of its local representation and delivered president Exclusive power to appoint boycotting leaders.

After a century, the battle ended civil rights Included. In 1961, it was not long ago after The capital has mostly became a black city, Twenty -third amendment The province granted three votes in the electoral college (the minimum number, although the capital was a greater Population from 11 other states). In 1973, Congress approved Law of the rule of homeWhich allowed the residents of the capital to elect their local officials, but it reserves the right to “review” the legislation and budgets.

Five years later, Congress approved a constitutional amendment that gives the boycott two Senate members and a voting member (the House Collapse When put on the states for ratification.

Over the next few decades, the political will of the capital of the capital has declined. In 1993, Jesse Jackson’s attempted legislation failed 124 votes At home.

The modern batch of the capital of the capital

The residents of the capital did not complete the fighting. Since 2000, boycott licensing boards contain Appear The slogan of protest “End of taxes without representation”, and in 2017, 85 percent of the population voice In favor of joining the Union as a 51st country.

Some politicians may listen, at least on the left. Every democratic presidential candidate in 2020 expressed SupportIn 2020, the House of Representatives passed a state law, HR 51. But the Republicans were not convinced. The majority leader Mitch McConnell refused to bring him HR 51 To vote in the Senate, Steering This step will lead to the “liberal Senate members”.

Currently, the residents of the capital remain in the lands of no man: the neighbors of the federal government, but they were almost completely represented.

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