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HR 5803 116th Congress House Government Operations and Politics Congressional districts and representation Congressional elections Constitution and constitutional amendments District of Columbia Elections, voting, political campaign regulation Government buildings, facilities, and property House of Representatives Legislative rules and procedure Members of Congress State and local government operations

Washington, D.C. Admission Act

Introduced: February 7, 2020 Introduced by: Norton, Eleanor Holmes Democratic · District of Columbia See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 11 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jun 18, 2020
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 347.
Jun 18, 2020
Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged.
Jun 18, 2020
Committee on the Judiciary discharged.
Jun 18, 2020
Committee on Armed Services discharged.
Jun 18, 2020
Committee on Rules discharged.
Jun 18, 2020
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Reform. H. Rept. 116-433, Part I.
Feb 11, 2020
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 21 - 16.
Feb 11, 2020
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Feb 7, 2020
Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and in addition to the Committees on Rules, Armed Services, the Judiciary, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Feb 7, 2020
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E155)
Feb 7, 2020
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Washington, D.C. Admission Act

This bill provides for admission into the United States of the state of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth, composed of most of the territory of the District of Columbia. The commonwealth shall be admitted to the Union on an equal footing with the other states.

The Mayor of the District of Columbia shall issue a proclamation for the first elections to Congress of two Senators and one Representative of the commonwealth.

The bill applies current District laws to the commonwealth and continues pending judicial proceedings.

The commonwealth (1) shall consist of all District territory, with specified exclusions for federal buildings and monuments, including the principal federal monuments, the White House, the Capitol Building, the U.S. Supreme Court Building, and the federal executive, legislative, and judicial office buildings located adjacent to the Mall and the Capitol Building; and (2) may not impose taxes on federal property except as Congress permits.

District territory excluded from the commonwealth shall be known as the Capital and shall be the seat of the federal government. The bill maintains the federal government's authority over military lands and specified other property.

The bill provides for expedited consideration of a joint resolution repealing the 23rd Amendment to the Constitution, which provides for the appointment of electors of the President and Vice President.

The bill continues certain federal authorities and responsibilities, including regarding employee benefits, agencies, courts, and college tuition assistance, until the commonwealth certifies that it is prepared to take over the authorities and responsibilities.

The bill establishes the Statehood Transition Commission to advise the President, Congress, and District and commonwealth leaders on the transition.

What's happening now June 18, 2020

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 347.

 Related & companion bills 2
  • S 631 Related bill Washington, D.C. Admission Act
  • HR 51 Related bill Washington, D.C. Admission Act
 Bill text 2 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 5
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 5803: Washington, D.C. Admission Act. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-5803/
MLA
"H.R. 5803: Washington, D.C. Admission Act." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-5803/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 5803, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-5803/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 5803: Washington, D.C. Admission Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-5803/)
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