Norton Thanks Law Professors for Letter Supporting Constitutionality of D.C. Statehood Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said she greatly appreciated the letter that a large group of leading constitutional law professors recently sent to House and Senate leadership supporting the constitutionality of the D.C. statehood bill.

"This group of influential scholars laid out the definitive case for the constitutionality of our D.C. statehood bill," Norton said. "The letter in clear language very effectively conveys that there is no constitutional barrier to admitting D.C. as a state, especially given that the bill retains a reduced federal district that will still serve as the nation's capital. I thank these constitutional law professors for offering a convincing analysis that carries great weight."

Among others, the letter was signed by: Laurence Tribe, Harvard Law School; Caroline Fredrickson, Georgetown Law Center; Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean of Berkeley School of Law; and Geoffrey Stone, University of Chicago Law School.

On April 22, 2021, the House passed Norton's D.C. statehood bill (H.R. 51). The Senate companion bill (S. 51) has a record 45 cosponsors. The Biden administration has strongly endorsed the D.C. statehood bill.