Admit DC and Puerto Rico as States - Congressional Bill
BILL TO ADMIT THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND PUERTO RICO AS STATES
Section 1: Title
This Act may be cited as the “Statehood for DC and Puerto Rico Act.”
Section 2: Purpose
The purpose of this bill is to admit the District of Columbia (DC) and Puerto Rico as the 51st and 52nd states of the United States, granting them full representation in Congress and equal rights under the U.S. Constitution, as well as ensuring their citizens enjoy all rights and privileges of statehood.
Section 3: Admission of the District of Columbia as the 51st State
(a) Admission of DC as a State: The District of Columbia is hereby admitted into the Union as the 51st state of the United States of America, effective immediately following the passage of this Act.
(b) New State Name: The District of Columbia shall be renamed the State of Washington, D.C.
(c) Geographical Boundaries: The geographical boundaries of the State of Washington, D.C. shall consist of the current boundaries of the District of Columbia, as outlined prior to this Act, with the exception of the land occupied by federal government buildings and properties, which shall remain under federal jurisdiction.
(d) Representation in Congress: Upon admission as a state, Washington, D.C. shall have full representation in the U.S. Congress. This includes:
• Two U.S. Senators.
• One member of the U.S. House of Representatives, elected by the citizens of Washington, D.C.
(e) Equal Rights: The citizens of Washington, D.C. shall be granted all rights, privileges, and responsibilities of statehood, including the right to vote for the President of the United States and the right to equal treatment under the law.
Section 4: Admission of Puerto Rico as the 52nd State
(a) Admission of Puerto Rico as a State: The territory of Puerto Rico is hereby admitted into the Union as the 52nd state of the United States of America, effective immediately following the passage of this Act.
(b) New State Name: Puerto Rico shall be renamed the State of Puerto Rico.
(c) Geographical Boundaries: The geographical boundaries of the State of Puerto Rico shall consist of the current boundaries of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, including all its islands, as outlined prior to this Act.
(d) Representation in Congress: Upon admission as a state, Puerto Rico shall have full representation in the U.S. Congress. This includes:
• Two U.S. Senators.
• One member of the U.S. House of Representatives, elected by the citizens of Puerto Rico.
(e) Equal Rights: The citizens of Puerto Rico shall be granted all rights, privileges, and responsibilities of statehood, including the right to vote for the President of the United States and the right to equal treatment under the law.
Section 5: Federal Taxation and Benefits for DC and Puerto Rico
(a) Federal Taxes: Upon admission as states, both Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico shall be subject to the same federal income tax obligations as other states, in accordance with the federal tax code.
(b) Federal Funding: Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico shall be eligible to receive federal funding for programs and services on the same basis as other states, including funding for education, healthcare, infrastructure, and disaster relief.
(c) Social Security and Medicare: The citizens of Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico shall be entitled to full participation in the Social Security and Medicare programs, with the same benefits and obligations as other states.
Section 6: Transition Period and Implementation
(a) Federal Government Property in Washington, D.C.: The federal government shall retain jurisdiction over federal properties located within Washington, D.C., including the White House, the U.S. Capitol, the Supreme Court, and other government buildings, which shall not be subject to state taxation or laws.
(b) Transition of Governance: A transition period of one year shall begin immediately after the passage of this Act, during which the federal government, in consultation with the governments of Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico, will establish the appropriate processes for the integration of both areas as states, including:
• Establishing state governments.
• Holding elections for Senators and Representatives.
• Adjusting federal laws and regulations to reflect the new states’ status.
(c) Voting Rights: The citizens of Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico shall immediately be granted the right to vote in federal elections once their admission is final, with elections for Senators and Representatives to be held no later than one year after the passage of this Act.
Section 7: Judicial Review and Rights
(a) Full Civil Rights: The citizens of Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico shall enjoy all civil rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and applicable federal laws, including protection from discrimination, voting rights, and the ability to participate fully in the democratic process.
(b) Judicial Authority: The federal courts shall have jurisdiction over cases involving the rights of the citizens of Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico, in accordance with U.S. law and the Constitution.
Section 8: Effective Date
This Act shall take effect immediately upon its passage and approval by the President, with the admissions of Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico into the Union occurring upon the completion of the transition period as outlined in Section 6 of this Act.
Summary of Key Provisions:
• Statehood for Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico: Admission of Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico as the 51st and 52nd states of the United States.
• Representation in Congress: Both states will have two Senators and one U.S. Representative.
• Federal Taxation and Benefits: Both states will be subject to federal taxes and eligible for federal benefits.
• Transition Period: A one-year transition period to integrate the new states into the federal system, including elections and the establishment of state governments.
This bill provides a framework for granting full statehood to the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, ensuring their citizens receive equal representation and the full benefits of statehood under the U.S. Constitution.