House

First hearing on DC statehood in House in 26 years scheduled for July

by Chris Mills Rodrigo - 05/30/19 12:36 PM ET

The House has set a date of July 24 for a hearing on statehood for Washington, D.C., the first in 26 years.

“JUST IN: We’ve announced the first hearing on #DCstatehood (HR 51) in the House in 26 years: July 24th!” Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) tweeted Thursday.

“This is a monumental step forward for equality and self-government for DC.”

JUST IN: We’ve announced the first hearing on #DCstatehood (HR 51) in the House in 26 years: July 24th!

This is a monumental step forward for equality and self-government for DC. #FreeAndEqualDC pic.twitter.com/g78pR9fTuu

— Eleanor Holmes Norton (@EleanorNorton) May 30, 2019

Norton has introduced D.C. statehood bills several times.

{mosads}This year’s legislation, put forward in January, has gained more support than in years past, with a record-high 205 co-sponsors.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) earlier Thursday announced he would be co-sponsoring H.R. 51.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), who is running for president, also recently came out in support of D.C. statehood.

Republicans have consistently opposed making the nation’s capital the 51st state, largely because of the high percentage of registered Democrats in the city.

Tags DC statehood Eleanor Holmes Norton Kirsten Gillibrand Steny Hoyer