Recognizing on Memorial Day, May 26, 2025, the denial of voting representation in Congress and full local self-government through statehood for active duty servicemembers, National Guard members, reservists, veterans, and their families who are residents of the District of Columbia.
H. Res. 440 is a House resolution submitted by Rep. Norton that, on Memorial Day, recognizes the denial of voting representation in Congress and the lack of full local self-government for residents of the District of Columbia (DC). The measure frames DC statehood as the remedy, arguing that active duty servicemembers, National Guard, reservists, veterans, and their families who live in DC deserve voting representation in Congress and full local self-government through statehood. It references the Washington, D.C. Admission Act (H.R. 51/S. 51) as the legislative path to that goal and notes substantial DC veteran presence and casualties to support the case for statehood. As a memorial resolution, it expresses the sense of the House and urges support for statehood, rather than creating or changing law itself.
Key Points
- 1The resolution designates Memorial Day and honors the service and sacrifice of DC-area active duty servicemembers, National Guard members, reservists, veterans, and their families.
- 2It asserts that approximately 30,000 DC veterans live in the District and currently have no voting representation in Congress or full local self-government.
- 3It highlights DC residents’ historical military service and casualties across major conflicts (World Wars, Korean War, Vietnam War) to bolster the case for representation and self-government.
- 4It states that DC statehood would provide voting representation in the House and Senate and full local self-government, aligning with the DC statehood effort represented by H.R. 51 and S. 51 (the Washington, D.C. Admission Act), which the resolution cites as having substantial cosponsorship.
- 5It characterizes DC statehood as the deserving remedy and explicitly says DC residents “deserve passage” of the Washington, D.C. Admission Act, signaling the House’s support for this legislative path. It is a non-binding, symbolic measure rather than a new law.