This is a huge step forward, John.
Thursday, for only the second time in history, the House of Representatives voted to pass H.R. 51 — a bill that would finally guarantee statehood for Washington D.C.
Cori proudly voted to grant statehood to D.C. because she knows D.C. statehood is about standing up for democracy and fighting for Black lives. As an original co-sponsor, Cori has been a vocal supporter of this fight.
D.C. statehood is closer to reality than ever before. It's passed the House, has President Biden's stamp of approval, and over forty co-sponsors in the Senate. But, with the filibuster in place in the Senate, the bill has an uncertain future. That's why Cori's not giving up the fight until this bill is made law.
Let's make this clear, John: Granting D.C. statehood is an issue of racial equity. Right now, over 700,000 D.C. residents, 45% of whom are Black, are all without voting representation in Congress. And when Republicans attack this bill over things like the number of car dealerships in D.C. or its population size — a population that is larger than both Wyoming and Vermont — it's clear what the GOP is doing.
Republicans are attacking this bill in an attempt to once again suppress Black voices and Black voters in this country.
As the first activist from the movement fighting for Black lives to serve in Congress, Cori is determined to make sure Black folks receive the representation we’ve been organizing for and are owed.
In solidarity,
Team Cori