WASHINGTON (AP) — Despite the political tide turning against them, District of Columbia leaders are pushing ahead with their efforts to turn the nation’s capital into the 51st state.
Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, a Democrat who represents the District in Congress, will introduce a statehood bill on Wednesday, as she does in every Congress. Democratic Sen. Tom Carper of Delaware will introduce a similar bill in the Senate.
And Mayor Muriel Bowser will formally petition Congress to admit the District as a state by approving a constitution submitted by city leaders.
Norton points to the growing number of co-sponsors for her bill as a sign of progress.
Most Republicans oppose statehood, and the new Republican Congress has signaled that it intends to intervene more aggressively in local affairs in the overwhelmingly Democratic city.
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