Gillibrand endorses DC statehood: Democracy doesn’t mean ‘for some of us’

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) on Monday endorsed statehood for Washington, D.C.

“Democracy doesn’t mean ‘for some of us,'” the 2020 presidential candidate tweeted. “It’s time for Washington, DC to have statehood and equal representation in Congress, and we should only need a simple majority to make it happen.”

Democracy doesn’t mean “for some of us.” It’s time for Washington, DC to have statehood and equal representation in Congress, and we should only need a simple majority to make it happen. https://t.co/0CjyjCxByH

— Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) May 20, 2019

Gillibrand shared a tweet from 51 for 51, a coalition of groups dedicated to seeking full representation for residents of the District of Columbia.

{mosads}“The over seven hundred thousand residents of Washington, D.C. have waited long enough to have the full rights afforded all the other tax-paying citizens of our great nation. To get there, the Senate needs to make sure that the same number of votes needed to approve the Supreme Court to lifetime appointments, can approve full rights for Washington, D.C. residents,” 51 for 51 Campaign Director Stasha Rhodes said in a statement.

“Senator Gillibrand is the first to fully embrace this vision, and we hope that those vying to lead our country will join her in the efforts to get full rights for its residents.”

Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) has introduced a bill to make the nation’s capital the 51st state several times.

The measure had 151 co-sponsors when put forward in January 2019, a record high for the legislation.

D.C. statehood has consistently been opposed by Republicans, largely because of the high percentage of registered Democrats in the city.