Statehood for DC Means a Better Present and Brighter Future for its Young Voters
Today, the House Committee on Oversight and Reform will hold a mark up and vote on H.R. 51, the bipartisan bill of DC statehood. It is the next step in a long-awaited journey to achieve full rights of citizenship for DC’s residents. DC has over 700,000 residents, and none of them are afforded the full representation or autonomy that people in other states have. Statehood has the ability to improve everyone’s life here in the District, most notably it’s younger voters. The median age in DC is 34 years old, with 32% of DC’s population being between the ages of 18 and 34. Ward Eight is the youngest political district in the city; there the median age is 29. With a reinvigorated Congress, and a House of Representatives that reflects the diversity of the United States, victory could be in sight for the District. With this mark up and vote sending the bill to the house floor, the DC Young Democrats is encouraging young people to come out and advocate for statehood.
DC’s stateless status has a major impact over the effectiveness of governance. Despite the fact that DC residents pay the highest per capita federal income taxes AND local taxes, we have no singular control over our local budget. DC’s budget is subject to Congressional approval which can affect how funds dedicated to agencies that serve young people such as Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS), Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA), and organizations that provide access to family planning resources and abortion services. Of the District’s $11.6 billion revenue in 2017, the majority came local taxes, non-tax revenue, and fees. Without full autonomy over our local budget, programs and initiatives we cannot effectively improve the lives of young people. We are currently subject to a Congress where the average member is 57 years old. DC administers such crucial programs like our Medicaid (which covers people ages 19 and 20 years old who are at 216% of the Federal Poverty Line) and unemployment insurance (about 5,000 men and women between 16 and 24 are unemployed. Leaving it in the hands of Congress to decide if these programs will be funded puts young people at too much risk.
A lack of statehood also prevents DC from maintaining significant control over its marijuana policies. This means people could still be subject to criminal penalties should Congress choose to act on our passed laws regarding marijuana legalization. While marijuana remains a Schedule II drug at the federal level, marijuana policies allow for recreational use for adults over 21 as long as it is in compliance with the stated law. HOWEVER, a last minute rider by one lone Congressman has prevented DC from forming a tax and regulation system. In turn this has led to the less favorable “donate” model of marijuana sales. As a result, pop-up shops are frequently raided by local police and subject the patrons to potential robberies because the business is done mostly in cash. Statehood would reduce the number of people incarcerated by giving them an opportunity to sell marijuana on a regulated market. Through its regulated and legal recreational marijuana market, the state of Colorado pulled in $266.5 million in marijuana taxes. An infusion of that kind of revenue for DC could mean more programs for young people, schools, child care, and more. Unless, of course, Congress decides to put a hold on all of that.
It’s imperative that the young people in DC enthusiastically engage in the battle for statehood.
Voters aged 18–29 came out to vote in increased numbers increasing from 20 percent in 2014 to 36 percent across the country. In the District, the rate of young voter turnout increased by nearly 35 percent. With votes that actually count in Congress, young voters, who are leaning more Democratic, will ensure representatives are acting on behalf of our interests. There are 20 colleges and universities in the District. And there is power in those numbers. As a growing electorate, our three votes in the electoral college won’t be enough. We need to have full representation with a voting member of the House and two Senators. DC needs a full voice on who can become a federal judge, a member of the Cabinet, or serve on the Supreme Court.
Members of the GOP will frequently argue against statehood by invoking antiquated interpretations of the Constitution. But really, it is because of DC’s long standing Democratic principles. However, DC and her residents should not be held hostage due to partisan tricks and tricksters. Opponents to statehood for DC also argue that DC is too small to warrant statehood, however DC’s population is larger than that of Wyoming and Vermont — two states that have 2 senators each. There are also other states that rely more heavily on federal funding than DC does. DC is a place where a significant portion of its population has been here for over 20 years. The District is full of 120 distinct and unique neighborhoods, and is more than just a company town. It is a place with a thriving culture and robust history and it should be recognized in the way that every other state is and has been recognized.
In 2016, District voters resoundingly voted in favor of statehood through a ballot referendum, with 86% of voters approving it. We now have a chance to bring that same fervor and energy to the halls of Congress and support our Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, in her battle for DC statehood. Statehood can and will mean a lot for our city and its residents. Young voters, DC Young Democrats is challenging you to bring that same amount of energy you did in the 2018 election to the hearing. Without you we can’t show Congress that we mean business about statehood for DC. We could be the one that set the example for other territories that fully engage with the United States but aren’t afforded the same rights and liberties. Young voters need to call, tweet, Facebook, show up in the offices of members of Congress demanding the act in favor of granting DC statehood. The time is now, make sure to #ShowUp4DC
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The District of Columbia Young Democrats (DCYD) is open to every resident of the District of Columbia who has attained the age of eighteen (18) and has not yet reached the age of thirty-six (36) and is a registered Democrat in the District of Columbia. No person shall be denied membership on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender identity, religion or the lack thereof, economic status, national origin, sexual orientation or disability. DCYD is affiliated with the District of Columbia Democratic State Committee and the Young Democrats of America, but maintains autonomy over its policies and operations.
Our mission is: to stimulate and involve young people of the District of Columbia in governmental affairs; to increase the efficiency of popular government; to foster and perpetuate the ideals and principles of the Democratic Party; to provide for our people through its administration, the highest degree of justice and social welfare; to improve the living conditions in our communities.
