Understand the big picture
 | |||
| Follow us... | |||
 |  | ||
| Published: | 2016-May-08 |
| Last Updated: | 2017-Mar-07 |
| Principal Writer: | Barry Shatzman |
 | Understanding The Issue |
 | Issue Status |
| Analysis and Perspectives |
| What You Can Do |
| More Information |
| The Rumor Mill |
Washington, D.C. Admission Act
2021 (HR-51)
Washington, D.C. Admission Act2017 (HR-1291)
New Columbia Admission Act2015 (HR-317)
DID YOU JUST LEARN SOMETHING?
Is it worth a dollar?
News in FiVe is free to read, but it takes time and money to publish.
If you find what we do valuable, please help us continue with a small donation every so often. Even a dollar or three makes a difference.
In return, we'll keep providing you the most relevant, understandable, and accessible news and information.
It's secure and takes only about a minute.
Thanks!
U.S. citizens with no representation in Congress
Our system of government is that we elect people who are empowered to represent our interests. Yet for more than half a million people living in the United States, this isn't the case.
They are full U.S. citizens. They are subject to the same taxes as the rest of the country. When their youths turn 18 they must register with the Selective Service just as those in every other state.
They elect a member of the House of Representatives, but - unlike the representatives elected by all other U.S. citizens - this representative is not given a vote. They have no representation in the Senate.
They are the residents of the District of Columbia (Washington, DC), and the reason is that the District of Columbia is not a state.
That makes the United States the only democracy on Earth in which citizens living in its capital have no representation in the country's legislature.
The lack of representation and self-determination has real effects
Not living in a state hits District of Columbia residents from two sides - lack of representation and limited self-determination.
Not being represented in Congress means things like...
o Not having a vote in whether Congress declares war or authorizes other military action (although when District youths turn 18 they must register with the Selective Service just as those in every other state.
The district also has very restricted self-determination at the local level. All laws enacted by the D.C. City Council or passed by a vote of city residents are subject to being overturned by Congress.
Congress also controls the District's budget - both tax revenue and money available for programs. The result has been inadequate resources for things like infrastructure, schools, libraries, and police.
Click here to continue to the next section of this issue...