Senate Democrats reintroduce D.C. statehood bill, with chamber majority now in their favor

Senate Democrats — bolstered by a new, albeit razor-thin majority in the chamber — have reintroduced legislation to make Washington, D.C. a state. 

The bill, introduced by Delaware Democratic Sen. Tom Carper, would give D.C. residents full authority over local issues and full representation in Congress, according to The Hill newspaper. It was first introduced in 2013.

"This isn't a Republican or Democratic issue; it's an American issue because the lack of fair representation for D.C. residents is clearly inconsistent with the values on which this country was founded," Carper said in a statement. 

The District has a population of about 700,000 residents, more than several other states, such as Vermont and Wyoming. 

Republicans have said the effort to give D.C statehood is only to add two Democratic senators, increasing Democrats' opportunity to control the chamber.

The GOP also argues D.C. statehood goes against the 23rd Amendment, which says District residents have the right to vote in presidential elections, but they only get as much say as the "least populous State."

For Washington, D.C. to become a state, a minimum of 10 Republican senators would have to be in favor, in addition to all of the Democrats.

However, if Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer ends the filibuster, D.C. statehood could be achieved with the 50 Democrats voting in favor, along with a tie-breaking vote from Vice President Kamala Harris.

President Joe Biden has long been a supporter of D.C. statehood.

Talk of statehood for D.C. ramped up this month following the Jan. 6 Capitol riot because the District did not have the authority to call in the National Guard so it required assistance from Virginia.

Democrats had plans for attempting to make D.C a state even before the riot, calling for it a day earlier, after two Democrats won Senate seats in the Georgia runoff election.