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Norton Highlights Findings for D.C. Statehood in Senate Version of the For the People Act

March 26, 2021

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today commended the introduction of the For the People Act (S. 1), a sweeping democracy reform bill that includes findings supporting statehood for the District of Columbia, in the Senate. The bill has 48 original cosponsors. The House companion bill (H.R. 1) also has findings supporting D.C. statehood.

"This is the strongest endorsement of D.C. statehood in the history of the Senate," Norton said. "The momentum for D.C. statehood is undeniably building. The introduction of S. 1 with 48 original cosponsors paves the way for increased support of our D.C. statehood bill (S. 51) in the Senate and ensures we are on the cusp of righting one of the nation's oldest continuing wrongs."

Norton reintroduced the D.C. statehood bill (H.R. 51) in the House in January with a record 202 original cosponsors. The bill now has 215 cosponsors. On Monday, the Committee on Oversight and Reform held a hearing on the bill. Senator Tom Carper (D-DE) reintroduced S. 51 in January with a record 38 original cosponsors. The bill now has 42 cosponsors, including Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY). Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) have announced they will bring H.R. 51 to the floor again this Congress.