Sen. Roys, Rep. Moore Omokunde call for DC statehood

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jalen Knuteson
Sen.Roys@legis.wisconsin.gov

MADISON, Wis. — Today, Senator Kelda Roys (D-Madison) and Representative Supreme Moore Omokunde (D-Milwaukee) introduced a bill that calls on Congress to grant statehood to the District of Columbia. 

The rallying cry of American colonists seeking independence from the British was "taxation without representation is tyranny," yet residents of our Nation's capital are in exactly this position. While DC has a population larger than many states, and the residents share all the responsibilities of a United States Citizen, they do not have voting representation in either the US House of Representatives or the US Senate.

This resolution pushes Congress to make the District of Columbia a state, allowing them to have representation in both the US House of Representatives and the US Senate. It is imperative that all US citizens have representation in our government.

Sen. Roys and Rep. Moore Omokunde issued the following statements upon introduction of the bill:

Sen. Roys: "Representation in government is the fundamental right of a democratic republic. DC residents are US citizens, but have been deprived of voting representation in our federal government.

“All Americans should use our voices and votes to advocate for our fellow citizens in the District of Columbia to enjoy the same rights and representation as we do. Wisconsin and every other state should push Congress to finally grant DC statehood and make the citizenship of its residents real.”

Rep. Moore Omokunde: “The District of Columbia is the only political and geographical entity within the continental United States whose citizens bear the responsibilities of citizenship without sharing in the full rights and privileges that citizenship endows. It is ridiculous to me that over 700,000 people live in the capital city of the United States without voting representation in Congress!

“Residents of Washington DC pay more in taxes than residents in 22 states and pay more taxes per capita to the federal government than any other state, yet they have no votes in the House of Representatives nor the Senate. We must address this absurdity and make the District of Columbia our 51st state!”

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