Washington, D.C. Admission Act
This bill admits certain portions of Washington, DC as the 51st state. The bill defines state as the State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth.
TITLE I--STATE OF WASHINGTON, D.C.
Subtitle A--Procedures for Admission
(Sec. 101) This subtitle provides for admission into the United States of the State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth, on an equal footing with the other states.
The state's constitution shall always be republican in form and shall not be repugnant to the U.S. Constitution or the principles of the Declaration of Independence.
(Sec. 102) The Mayor of the District of Columbia must issue a proclamation for the first elections to Congress of two Senators and one Representative from the state.
A special rule is established for the election of the Senators. The proclamation must provide for a primary and general election that allows the two Senators and one Representative to be elected by qualified District voters.
In addition, this subtitle (1) permanently increases membership in the House of Representatives from 435 to 436 Members; and (2) entitles the state to one Representative upon its admission into the Union, until the first apportionment of Members of Congress after admission to statehood.
(Sec. 103) The President must issue a proclamation announcing the results of the election of the two Senators and one Representative and upon such issuance, the state shall be declared admitted into the Union.
Subtitle B--Seat of Government of the United States
(Sec. 111) This subtitle declares that the state shall consists of all of District territory as of enactment of this bill, 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,
District territory excluded from the state shall be known as the Capital and shall be the seat of the federal government. The John A. Wilson Building shall not be included in the Capital. The entirety of the Frances Perkins Building, including any portion of the building located north of D Street NW, shall be included in the Capital.
(Sec. 113) The state and the Capital shall each maintain title and jurisdiction over all real and personal property held by them before the state was admitted into the Union.
(Sec. 114) This section requires current District laws to apply in the Capital.
(Sec. 115) This section renames the District of Columbia National Guard as the Capital National Guard and makes it an exclusive federal entity for the Capital.
(Sec. 116) This section declares that the Capital is neither a government nor a body corporate for municipal purposes.
Subtitle C--General Provisions Relating to Laws of State
(Sec. 121) This subtitle declares that
(Sec. 123) This section prohibits the state from imposing taxes on federal property, except as Congress permits.
TITLE II--INTERESTS OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Subtitle A--Federal Property
(Sec. 201) This subtitle maintains the federal government's authority over military lands and specified other property.
Subtitle B--Federal Courts
(Sec. 211) This subtitle prospectively requires each circuit judge to reside within the circuit for which the judge was appointed at the time of appointment and thereafter while in active service. In addition, judges for the federal judicial circuit must reside within 50 miles of the Capital.
Furthermore, district judges, U.S. Attorneys, U.S. Marshals, and clerks of district courts must reside in the district or one of the districts for which the individual was appointed.
(Sec. 212) This section renames (1) the District judicial circuit the Capital circuit consisting of the Capital and the state; and (2) the District judicial district the Washington, Douglass Commonwealth and the Capital. It also requires the court of such district to hold proceedings in the Capital.
(Sec. 214) This section requires the District of Columbia Pretrial Services Agency to provide pretrial services for the judicial district until the state certifies it has in effect laws providing for pretrial services.
Subtitle C--Federal Elections
(Sec. 221) This subtitle requires states, if the application is received by the state within 30 days before such election, to permit certain absent Capital voters to (1) use absentee registration procedures, (2) vote by absentee ballot in federal elections, and (3) accept any otherwise valid voter registration application from such voter. In addition, it urges states to afford maximum access to the polls by such voters.
(Sec. 222) This section abolishes the Office of Delegate to the House of Representatives from the District.
(Sec. 223) This section 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.
TITLE III--CONTINUATION OF CERTAIN AUTHORITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Subtitle A--Employee Benefits
(Sec. 301) This subtitle continues existing federal or District benefit payments to individuals under certain retirement programs.
Subtitle B--Agencies
(Sec. 311) This subtitle continues the existing operations or funding for
Furthermore, this subtitle renames the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for the District of Columbia as the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for Washington, Douglass Commonwealth after the state is admitted into the Union.
Subtitle C--Other Programs and Authorities
(Sec. 321) This subtitle continues to apply to the state or the Capital, among other requirements
In addition, this subtitle
The location of any person in the Capital or the state after its admission is deemed to satisfy any existing requirements under any law that the person be located in the District.
The continuation of federal authorities and responsibilities in these subtitles shall cease once the state certifies that it is prepared to take over these authorities and responsibilities.
TITLE IV--GENERAL PROVISIONS
(Sec. 402) This section establishes the Statehood Transition Commission to advise the President, Congress, and the executive and legislative authorities of the District concerning an orderly transition to statehood for the District and to a reduced geographical size of the seat of the federal government, including with respect to property, funding, programs, projects, and activities.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 51 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 51
To provide for the admission of the State of Washington, D.C. into the
Union.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 3, 2019
Ms. Norton (for herself, Mr. Sherman, Mr. Huffman, Mrs. Dingell, Mr.
Connolly, Mr. Richmond, Ms. Speier, Mr. Khanna, Mr. Raskin, Mr. Ryan,
Ms. Wasserman Schultz, Mr. Sean Patrick Maloney of New York, Ms.
Bonamici, Mr. Serrano, Ms. Bass, Mr. McNerney, Mr. Carson of Indiana,
Ms. Wilson of Florida, Mrs. Demings, Mrs. Bustos, Ms. Johnson of Texas,
Mr. Takano, Mrs. Napolitano, Ms. DeGette, Ms. Clark of Massachusetts,
Mr. Peters, Mr. Scott of Virginia, Mr. McEachin, Mrs. Lawrence, Mr.
Cartwright, Mr. Sablan, Mr. Cohen, Ms. Clarke of New York, Mr. Welch,
Mr. Higgins of New York, Mr. Cummings, Mr. Blumenauer, Mr. Nadler, Mr.
Jeffries, Mr. Crist, Mr. Deutch, Mr. Lowenthal, Mrs. Watson Coleman,
Ms. Schakowsky, Mr. Lynch, Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney of New York, Ms. Lee
of California, Miss Rice of New York, Ms. Kelly of Illinois, Ms.
Barragan, Mr. Brown of Maryland, Mr. Sarbanes, Ms. Pingree, Ms.
Brownley of California, Ms. Kaptur, Mr. Espaillat, Mrs. Torres of
California, Mr. Pascrell, Mr. Beyer, Mr. Kildee, Mr. Johnson of
Georgia, Mr. Kilmer, Mr. Price of North Carolina, Mrs. Beatty, Mr.
Clay, Mr. Carbajal, Mr. Moulton, Mr. Quigley, Ms. Frankel, Mr.
Grijalva, Mr. David Scott of Georgia, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Schiff, Mr.
Thompson of California, Mr. Panetta, Mr. Meeks, Ms. Sewell of Alabama,
Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, Mr. Pallone, Mr. Engel, Ms. Titus, Mr.
Hastings, Mr. Gallego, Mr. Green of Texas, Mr. McGovern, Ms. Lofgren,
Ms. Eshoo, Ms. Sanchez, Mrs. Lowey, Mr. Bishop of Georgia, Mr. Correa,
Mr. Pocan, Ms. Meng, Mr. Tonko, Mr. Vargas, Mr. Gomez, Ms. Jayapal, Mr.
Neal, Mr. Danny K. Davis of Illinois, Mr. Lawson of Florida, Ms. Moore,
Mr. Lipinski, Mrs. Murphy, Mr. Rush, Mr. Michael F. Doyle of
Pennsylvania, Mr. Cardenas, Mr. Ted Lieu of California, Mr. Courtney,
Mr. Vela, Mr. Smith of Washington, Mr. Doggett, Mrs. Davis of
California, Ms. Fudge, Mr. Brendan F. Boyle of Pennsylvania, Mr.
Krishnamoorthi, Mr. Foster, Mr. DeFazio, Ms. DeLauro, Mr. Lujan, Mr.
Langevin, Mr. Butterfield, Mr. Clyburn, Ms. Jackson Lee, Mr. Payne, Mr.
Castro of Texas, Mr. Himes, Ms. Adams, Ms. Waters, Ms. Velazquez, Mr.
Ruppersberger, Mr. Veasey, Mr. Cicilline, Mr. Soto, Mr. Yarmuth, Mr.
Larson of Connecticut, Ms. Castor of Florida, Mr. Swalwell of
California, Mr. DeSaulnier, Mr. Larsen of Washington, Ms. McCollum, Mr.
Suozzi, Mr. Norcross, Ms. Matsui, Ms. Judy Chu of California, Ms. Wild,
Ms. Blunt Rochester, Mr. Keating, Ms. Scanlon, Mr. Cleaver, Mr.
Perlmutter, Mr. Evans, Mr. Loebsack, Ms. DelBene, Mr. Sires, Ms.
Roybal-Allard, and Ms. Kuster of New Hampshire) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and
Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, 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
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To provide for the admission of the State of Washington, D.C. into the
Union.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Washington, D.C.
Admission Act''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
TITLE I--STATE OF WASHINGTON, D.C.
Subtitle A--Procedures for Admission
Sec. 101. Admission into the Union.
Sec. 102. Election of officials of State.
Sec. 103. Issuance of presidential proclamation.
Subtitle B--Description of Washington, D.C. Territory
Sec. 111. Territories and boundaries of Washington, D.C.
Sec. 112. Description of District of Columbia after admission of State.
Sec. 113. Continuation of title to lands and property.
Subtitle C--General Provisions Relating to Laws of Washington, D.C.
Sec. 121. Limitation on authority of State to tax Federal property.
Sec. 122. Effect of admission of State on current laws.
Sec. 123. Continuation of judicial proceedings.
Sec. 124. United States nationality.
TITLE II--RESPONSIBILITIES AND INTERESTS OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Sec. 201. Continuation of revised District of Columbia as seat of
Federal Government.
Sec. 202. Treatment of military lands.
Sec. 203. Waiver of claims to Federal lands and property.
Sec. 204. Permitting individuals residing in new seat of government to
vote in Federal elections in State of most
recent domicile.
Sec. 205. Repeal of law providing for participation of District of
Columbia in election of President and Vice-
President.
Sec. 206. Expedited procedures for consideration of constitutional
amendment repealing 23rd Amendment.
TITLE III--GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 301. General definitions.
Sec. 302. Certification of enactment by President.
TITLE I--STATE OF WASHINGTON, D.C.
Subtitle A--Procedures for Admission
SEC. 101. ADMISSION INTO THE UNION.
(a) In General.--Subject to the provisions of this Act, upon
issuance of the proclamation required by section 103(b), the State of
Washington, Douglass Commonwealth is declared to be a State of the
United States of America, and is declared admitted into the Union on an
equal footing with the other States in all respects whatever.
(b) Constitution of State.--The State Constitution shall always be
republican in form and shall not be repugnant to the Constitution of
the United States and the principles of the Declaration of
Independence.
SEC. 102. ELECTION OF OFFICIALS OF STATE.
(a) Issuance of Proclamation.--
(1) In general.--Not more than 30 days after receiving
certification of the enactment of this Act from the President
pursuant to section 302, the Mayor of the District of Columbia
shall issue a proclamation for the first elections, subject to
the provisions of this section, for two Senators and one
Representative in Congress.
(2) Special rule for election of senators.--In the election
of Senators from the State pursuant to paragraph (1), the 2
Senate offices shall be separately identified and designated,
and no person may be a candidate for both offices. No such
identification or designation of either of the offices shall
refer to or be taken to refer to the terms of such offices, or
in any way impair the privilege of the Senate to determine the
class to which each of the Senators elected shall be assigned.
(b) Rules for Conducting Election.--
(1) In general.--The proclamation of the Mayor issued under
subsection (a) shall provide for the holding of a primary
election and a general election and at such elections the
officers required to be elected as provided in subsection (a)
shall be chosen by the qualified electors of the District of
Columbia in the manner required by law.
(2) Certification of returns.--Election returns shall be
made and certified in the manner required by law, except that
the Mayor shall also certify the results of such elections to
the President of the United States.
(c) Assumption of Duties.--Upon the admission of the State into the
Union, the Senators and Representative elected at the election
described in subsection (a) shall be entitled to be admitted to seats
in Congress and to all the rights and privileges of Senators and
Representatives of other States in the Congress of the United States.
(d) Transfer of Offices of Mayor and Members and Chair of
Council.--Upon the admission of the State into the Union, the Mayor,
members of the Council, and the Chair of the Council at the time of
admission shall be deemed the Governor, members of the Legislative
Assembly, and the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of the State,
respectively, as provided by the State Constitution and the laws of the
State.
(e) Continuation of Authority and Duties and Judicial and Executive
Officers.--Upon the admission of the State into the Union, members of
executive and judicial offices of the District of Columbia shall be
deemed members of the respective executive and judicial offices of the
State, as provided by the State Constitution and the laws of the State.
(f) Special Rule for House of Representatives Membership.--The
State upon its admission into the Union shall be entitled to one
Representative until the taking effect of the next reapportionment, and
such Representative shall be in addition to the membership of the House
of Representatives as prescribed by law on the day before the date of
enactment of this Act, except that such temporary increase in the
membership shall not operate to either increase or decrease the
permanent membership of the House of Representatives or affect the
basis of apportionment for the Congress.
SEC. 103. ISSUANCE OF PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION.
(a) In General.--The President, upon certification of the returns
of the election of the officers required to be elected as provided in
section 102(a), shall, not later than 90 days after receiving such
certification, issue a proclamation announcing the results of such
elections as so ascertained.
(b) Admission of State Upon Issuance of Proclamation.--Upon the
issuance of the proclamation by the President under subsection (a), the
State shall be deemed admitted into the Union as provided in section
101.
Subtitle B--Description of Washington, D.C. Territory
SEC. 111. TERRITORIES AND BOUNDARIES OF WASHINGTON, D.C.
(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), the State
shall consist of all of the territory of the District of Columbia as of
the date of the enactment of this Act, subject to the results of the
technical survey conducted under subsection (c).
(b) Exclusion of Portion of District of Columbia Remaining as
National Capital.--The territory of the State shall not include the
area described in section 112, which shall remain as the District of
Columbia for purposes of serving as the seat of the Government of the
United States.
(c) Technical Survey.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the President (in consultation with the
Chair of the National Capital Planning Commission) shall conduct a
technical survey of the metes and bounds of the District of Columbia
and of the territory described in section 112(b).
SEC. 112. DESCRIPTION OF DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AFTER ADMISSION OF STATE.
(a) In General.--Subject to subsection (c), after the admission of
the State into the Union, the District of Columbia shall consist of the
property described in subsection (b) and shall include the principal
Federal monuments, the White House, the Capitol Building, the United
States Supreme Court Building, and the Federal executive, legislative,
and judicial office buildings located adjacent to the Mall and the
Capitol Building (as such terms are used in section 8501(a) of title
40, United States Code).
(b) Specific Description of Metes and Bounds.--After the admission
of the State into the Union, the specific metes and bounds of the
District of Columbia shall be as follows: Beginning at the intersection
of the southern right-of-way of F Street NE and the eastern right-of-
way of 2nd Street NE;
(1) thence south along said eastern right-of-way of 2nd
Street NE to the eastern right-of-way of 2nd Street SE;
(2) thence south along said eastern right-of-way of 2nd
Street SE to its intersection with the northern property
boundary of the property designated as Square 760 Lot 803;
(3) thence east along said northern property boundary of
Square 760 Lot 803 to its intersection with the western right-
of-way of 3rd Street SE;
(4) thence south along said western right-of-way of 3rd
Street SE to its intersection with the northern right-of-way of
Independence Avenue SE;
(5) thence west along said northern right-of-way of
Independence Avenue SE to its intersection with the eastern
right-of-way of 2nd Street SE;
(6) thence south along said eastern right-of-way of 2nd
Street SE to its intersection with the southern right-of-way of
C Street SE;
(7) thence west along said southern right-of-way of C
Street SE to its intersection with the eastern right-of-way of
1st Street SE;
(8) thence south along said eastern right-of-way of 1st
Street SE to its intersection with the southern right-of-way of
D Street SE;
(9) thence west along said southern right-of-way of D
Street SE to its intersection with the western right-of-way of
South Capitol Street;
(10) thence south along said western right-of-way of South
Capitol Street to its intersection with the southwestern right-
of-way of the northwest-bound lanes of Canal Street SE;
(11) thence southeast along said southwestern right-of-way
of the northwest-bound lanes of Canal Street SE to its
intersection with the southern right-of-way of E Street SE;
(12) thence east along said southern right-of-way of said E
Street SE to its intersection with the western right-of-way of
1st Street SE;
(13) thence south along said western right-of-way of 1st
Street SE to its intersection with the southernmost corner of
the property designated as Square 736S Lot 801;
(14) thence west along a line extended due west from said
corner of said property designated as Square 736S Lot 801 to
its intersection with the southwestern right-of-way of New
Jersey Avenue SE;
(15) thence southeast along said southwestern right-of-way
of New Jersey Avenue SE to its intersection with the
northwestern right-of-way of Virginia Avenue SE;
(16) thence northwest along said northwestern right-of-way
of Virginia Avenue SE to its intersection with the eastern
right-of-way of South Capitol Street;
(17) thence north along said eastern right-of-way of South
Capitol Street to its intersection with the southern right-of-
way of E Street SE;
(18) thence west along a line extending westward said
southern right-of-way of E Street SE to its intersection with
the western right-of-way of South Capitol Street;
(19) thence north along said western right-of-way of South
Capitol Street to its intersection with the southwestern right-
of-way of Washington Avenue SW;
(20) thence northwest along said southwestern right-of-way
of Washington Avenue SW to its intersection with the
southeastern boundary of the property designated as Square 640
Lot 70;
(21) thence clockwise around said boundary of said property
designated as Square 640 Lot 70 to its northernmost point;
(22) thence generally northeast along a line extending the
boundary of said property designated as Square 640 Lot 70
northeast to its intersection with the southwestern right-of-
way of Washington Avenue SW;
(23) thence northwest along said southwestern right-of-way
of Washington Avenue SW to its intersection with a line
extending northward the western boundary of the property
designated as Square 582 Lot 49;
(24) thence south along said line extending northward the
western boundary of said property designated as Square 582 Lot
49 to the northwestern corner of said property designated as
Square 582 Lot 49;
(25) thence clockwise along the boundary of said property
designated as Square 582 Lot 49 to its southwestern corner;
(26) thence west along a line extended west from said
southwestern corner of said property designated as Square 582
Lot 49 to its intersection with the western right-of-way of 2nd
Street SW;
(27) thence south along said western right-of-way of 2nd
Street SW to its intersection with the southwestern right-of-
way of Virginia Avenue SW;
(28) thence northwest along said southwestern right-of-way
of Virginia Avenue SW to its intersection with the western
right-of-way of 3rd Street SW;
(29) thence north along said western right-of-way of 3rd
Street SW to its intersection with the northern right-of-way of
D Street SW;
(30) thence west along said northern right-of-way of D
Street SW to its intersection with the eastern right-of-way of
4th Street SW;
(31) thence north along said eastern right-of-way of 4th
Street SW to its intersection with the northern right-of-way of
C Street SW;
(32) thence west along said northern right-of-way of C
Street SW to its intersection with the eastern right-of-way of
6th Street SW;
(33) thence north along said eastern right-of-way of 6th
Street SW to its intersection with the northern right -of-way
of Independence Avenue SW;
(34) thence west along said northern right-of-way of
Independence Avenue SW to its intersection with the western
right-of-way of 12th Street SW;
(35) thence south along said western right-of-way of 12th
Street SW to its intersection with the northern right-of-way of
D Street SW;
(36) thence west along said northern right-of-way of D
Street SW to its intersection with the western right-of-way of
14th Street SW;
(37) thence south along said western right-of-way of 14th
Street SW to its end at the southeastern corner of the property
designated as Square 231 Lot 802;
(38) thence northwest along the southwest boundary of said
property designated as Square 231 Lot 802 to its first
intersection with a corner of the property designated as
Federal Reservation 2;
(39) thence southwest along the boundary of said property
designated as Federal Reservation 2 to its southernmost point;
(40) thence southwest and west along the northwestern edge
of pavement of the southbound lanes of 14th Street SW to the
point where said southbound lanes of 14th Street SW merge with
the southbound lanes of Interstate 395;
(41) thence continuing southwest along the northwestern
edge of pavement of the southbound lanes of Interstate 395 to
its intersection with the eastern shore of the Potomac River;
(42) thence generally northwest along said eastern shore of
the Potomac River to its intersection with a line extending
westward the northern boundary of the property designated as
Square 12 Lot 806;
(43) thence east along said line extending westward the
northern boundary of the property designated as Square 12 Lot
806 to the northern property boundary of the property
designated as Square 12 Lot 806, and continuing east along said
northern boundary of said property designated as Square 12 Lot
806 to its northeast corner;
(44) thence east along a line extending east from said
property designated as Square 12 Lot 806 to its intersection
with the western boundary of the property designated as Square
33 Lot 87;
(45) thence south along said western boundary of the
property designated as Square 33 Lot 87 to its intersection
with the northwest corner of the property designated as Square
33 Lot 88;
(46) thence counter-clockwise around the boundary of said
property designated as Square 33 Lot 88 to its southeast
corner, which it shares with the property designated as Square
33 Lot 87;
(47) thence east along the southern boundary of said
property designated as Square 33 Lot 87 to its southeast
corner;
(48) thence south along a line running due south from said
southeast corner of the property designated as Square 33 Lot 87
to its intersection with the southern edge of pavement of E
Street NW;
(49) thence east along said southern edge of pavement E
Street NW to its intersection with the western right-of-way of
18th Street NW;
(50) thence south along said western right-of-way of 18th
Street NW to its intersection with the southwestern right-of-
way of Virginia Avenue NW;
(51) thence southeast along said southwestern right-of-way
of Virginia Avenue NW to its intersection with the northern
right-of-way of Constitution Avenue NW;
(52) thence continuing southeast along a line extending the
southwestern right-of-way of Virginia Avenue NW to its
intersection with the southern right-of-way of Constitution
Avenue NW;
(53) thence east along said southern right-of-way of
Constitution Avenue NW to its intersection with the eastern
right-of-way of 17th Street NW;
(54) thence north along said eastern right-of-way of 17th
Street NW to its intersection with the southern right-of-way of
H Street NW;
(55) thence east along said southern right-of-way of H
Street NW to its intersection with the northwest corner of the
property designated as Square 221 Lot 35;
(56) thence counter-clockwise around the boundary of said
property designated as Square 221 Lot 35 to its southeast
corner, which is along the boundary of the property designated
as Square 221 Lot 37;
(57) thence counter-clockwise around the boundary of said
property designated as Square 221 Lot 37 to its southwest
corner, which it shares with the property designated as Square
221 Lot 818;
(58) thence south along the boundary of said property
designated as Square 221 Lot 818 to its southwest corner, which
it shares with the property designated as Square 221 Lot 809;
(59) thence south along the boundary of said property
designated as Square 221 Lot 809 to its southwest corner, which
it shares with the property designated as Square 221 Lot 800;
(60) thence counter-clockwise along the boundary of said
property designated as Square 221 Lot 800 to its southwest
corner, which it shares with the property designated as Square
221 Lot 810;
(61) thence counter-clockwise along the boundary of said
property designated as Square 221 Lot 810 to its southwest
corner, which is along the northern right-of-way of
Pennsylvania Avenue NW;
(62) thence east along said northern right-of-way of
Pennsylvania Avenue NW to its intersection with the western
right-of-way of 15th Street NW;
(63) thence south along said western right-of-way of 15th
Street NW to its intersection with a line extending northwest
from the southern right-of-way of the portion of Pennsylvania
Avenue NW north of Pershing Square;
(64) thence southeast along said line extending the
southern right-of-way of Pennsylvania Avenue NW to the southern
right-of-way of Pennsylvania Avenue NW and continuing southeast
along said southern right-of-way of Pennsylvania Avenue NW to
its intersection with the western right-of-way of 14th Street
NW;
(65) thence south along said western right-of-way of 14th
Street NW to its intersection with a line extending west from
the southern right-of-way of D Street NW;
(66) thence east along said line extending west from the
southern right-of-way of D Street NW to the southern right-of-
way of D Street NW, and continuing east along said southern
right-of-way of D Street NW to its intersection with the
eastern right-of-way of 13\1/2\ Street NW;
(67) thence north along said eastern right-of-way of 13\1/
2\ Street NW to its intersection with the southern right-of-way
of Pennsylvania Avenue NW;
(68) thence east and southeast along said southern right-
of-way of Pennsylvania Avenue NW to its intersection with the
western right-of-way of 12th Street NW;
(69) thence south along said western right-of-way of 12th
Street NW to its intersection with a line extending to the west
the southern boundary of the property designated as Square 324
Lot 809;
(70) thence east along said line to the southwest corner of
said property designated as Square 324 Lot 809, and continuing
northeast along the southern boundary of said property
designated as Square 324 Lot 809 to its eastern corner, which
it shares with the property designated as Square 323 Lot 802;
(71) thence east along the southern boundary of said
property designated as Square 323 Lot 802 to its southeast
corner, which it shares with the property designated as Square
324 Lot 808;
(72) thence counter-clockwise around the boundary of said
property designated as Square 324 Lot 808 to its northeastern
corner along the southern right-of-way of Pennsylvania Avenue
NW;
(73) thence southeast along said southern right-of-way of
Pennsylvania Avenue NW to its intersection with the eastern
right-of-way of 4th Street NW;
(74) thence north along a line extending north from said
eastern right-of-way of 4th Street NW to its intersection with
a line extending west from the southern right-of-way of C
Street NW;
(75) thence east along said line extending west from the
southern right-of-way of C Street NW to the southern right-of-
way of C Street NW, and continuing east along said southern
right-of-way of C Street NW to its intersection with the
eastern right-of-way of 3rd Street NW;
(76) thence north along said eastern right-of-way of 3rd
Street NW to its intersection with the southern right-of-way of
D Street NW;
(77) thence east along said southern right-of-way of D
Street NW to its intersection with the western right-of-way of
1st Street NW;
(78) thence south along said western right-of-way of 1st
Street NW to its intersection with the northern right-of-way of
C Street NW;
(79) thence west along said northern right-of-way of C
Street NW to its intersection with the western right-of-way of
2nd Street NW;
(80) thence south along said western right-of-way of 2nd
Street NW to its intersection with the northern right-of-way of
Constitution Avenue NW;
(81) thence east along said northern right-of-way of
Constitution Avenue NW to its intersection with the
northwestern right-of-way of Louisiana Avenue NW;
(82) thence northeast along said northwestern right-of-way
of Louisiana Avenue NW to its intersection with the
southwestern right-of-way of New Jersey Avenue NW;
(83) thence northwest along said southwestern right-of-way
of New Jersey Avenue NW to its intersection with the northern
right-of-way of D Street NW;
(84) thence east along said northern right-of-way of D
Street NW to its intersection with the northwestern right-of-
way of Louisiana Avenue NW;
(85) thence northeast along said northwestern right-of-way
of Louisiana Avenue NW to its intersection with the western
right-of-way of North Capitol Street;
(86) thence north along said western right-of-way of North
Capitol Street to its intersection with the southwestern right-
of-way of Massachusetts Avenue NW;
(87) thence southeast along said southwestern right-of-way
of Massachusetts Avenue NW to the southwestern right-of-way of
Massachusetts Avenue NE;
(88) thence southeast along said southwestern right-of-way
of Massachusetts Avenue NE to the southwestern right-of-way of
Columbus Circle NE;
(89) thence counter-clockwise along said southwestern, then
southern, southeastern, and eastern right-of-way of Columbus
Circle NE to its intersection with the southern right-of way of
F Street NE; and
(90) thence east along said southern right-of-way of F
Street NE to the point of beginning.
(c) Exclusion of District Building.--
(1) Exclusion.--Notwithstanding any other provision of this
section, the District of Columbia shall not be considered to
include the District Building after the admission of the State
into the Union.
(2) District building defined.--In paragraph (1), the term
``District Building'' means the John A. Wilson Building
described and designated under section 601(a) of the Omnibus
Spending Reduction Act of 1993 (sec. 10-1301(a), D.C. Official
Code).
SEC. 113. CONTINUATION OF TITLE TO LANDS AND PROPERTY.
(a) Continuation of Title to Lands of District of Columbia.--
(1) In general.--The State and its political subdivisions
shall have and retain title to, or jurisdiction over, for
purposes of administration and maintenance, all property, real
and personal, with respect to which title or jurisdiction for
purposes of administration and maintenance is held by the
District of Columbia on the day before the State is admitted
into the Union.
(2) Conveyance of interest in certain bridges and
tunnels.--On the day before the State is admitted into the
Union, the District of Columbia shall convey to the United
States any and all interest of the District of Columbia in any
bridge or tunnel that will connect the Commonwealth of Virginia
with the District of Columbia after the admission of the State
into the Union.
(b) Continuation of Federal Title to Property in State.--The United
States shall have and retain title to, or jurisdiction over, for
purposes of administration and maintenance, all property in the State
with respect to which the United States holds title or jurisdiction on
the day before the State is admitted into the Union.
Subtitle C--General Provisions Relating to Laws of Washington, D.C.
SEC. 121. LIMITATION ON AUTHORITY OF STATE TO TAX FEDERAL PROPERTY.
The State may not impose any taxes upon any lands or other property
owned or acquired by the United States, except to the extent as
Congress may permit.
SEC. 122. EFFECT OF ADMISSION OF STATE ON CURRENT LAWS.
(a) Legislative Power of State.--The legislative power of the State
shall extend to all rightful subjects of legislation within the State,
consistent with the Constitution of the United States (including the
restrictions and limitations imposed upon the States by article I,
section 10) and subject to the provisions of this Act.
(b) Treatment of Federal Laws.--To the extent that any law of the
United States applies to the States generally, the law shall have the
same force and effect within the State as elsewhere in the United
States, except as such law may otherwise provide.
SEC. 123. CONTINUATION OF JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS.
(a) Pending Proceedings.--
(1) In general.--No writ, action, indictment, cause, or
proceeding pending in any court of the District of Columbia or
in the United States District Court for the District of
Columbia shall abate by reason of the admission of the State
into the Union, but shall be transferred and shall proceed
within such appropriate State courts as shall be established
under the State Constitution, or shall continue in the United
States District Court for the District of Columbia, as the
nature of the case may require.
(2) Succession of courts.--The appropriate courts of the
State shall be the successors of the courts of the District of
Columbia as to all cases arising within the limits embraced
within the jurisdiction of such courts, with full power to
proceed with such cases, and award mesne or final process
therein, and all files, records, indictments, and proceedings
relating to any such writ, action, indictment, cause, or
proceeding shall be transferred to such appropriate State
courts and shall be proceeded with therein in due course of
law.
(b) Unfiled Proceedings Based on Actions Prior to Admission.--All
civil causes of action and all criminal offenses which shall have
arisen or been committed prior to the admission of the State into the
Union, but as to which no writ, action, indictment, or proceeding shall
be pending at the date of such admission, shall be subject to
prosecution in the appropriate State courts or in the United States
District Court for the District of Columbia in like manner, to the same
extent, and with like right of appellate review, as if the State had
been admitted and such State courts had been established prior to the
accrual of such causes of action or the commission of such offenses.
(c) Maintenance of Rights to and Jurisdiction Over Appeals.--
(1) Cases decided prior to admission.--Parties shall have
the same rights of appeal from and appellate review of final
decisions of the United States District Court for the District
of Columbia or the District of Columbia Court of Appeals in any
case finally decided prior to the admission of the State into
the Union, whether or not an appeal therefrom shall have been
perfected prior to such admission. The United States Court of
Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and the Supreme
Court of the United States shall have the same jurisdiction in
such cases as by law provided prior to the admission of the
State into the Union.
(2) Cases decided after admission.--Parties shall have the
same rights of appeal from and appellate review of all orders,
judgments, and decrees of the United States District Court for
the District of Columbia and of the highest court of the State,
as successor to the District of Columbia Court of Appeals, in
any case pending at the time of admission of the State into the
Union, and the United States Court of Appeals for the District
of Columbia Circuit and the Supreme Court of the United States
shall have the same jurisdiction therein, as by law provided in
any case arising subsequent to the admission of the State into
the Union.
(3) Issuance of subsequent mandates.--Any mandate issued
subsequent to the admission of the State shall be to the United
States District Court for the District of Columbia or a court
of the State, as appropriate.
(d) Conforming Amendments Relating to Federal Courts.--Effective
upon the admission of the State into the Union--
(1) section 41 of title 28, United States Code, is amended
in the second column by inserting ``, Washington, Douglass
Commonwealth'' after ``District of Columbia''; and
(2) the first paragraph of section 88 of title 28, United
States Code, is amended to read as follows:
``The District of Columbia and the State of Washington,
Douglass Commonwealth comprise one judicial district.''.
SEC. 124. UNITED STATES NATIONALITY.
No provision of this Act shall operate to confer United States
nationality, to terminate nationality lawfully acquired, or to restore
nationality terminated or lost under any law of the United States or
under any treaty to which the United States is or was a party.
TITLE II--RESPONSIBILITIES AND INTERESTS OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
SEC. 201. CONTINUATION OF REVISED DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AS SEAT OF
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
After the admission of the State into the Union, the seat of the
Government of the United States shall be the District of Columbia as
described in section 112.
SEC. 202. TREATMENT OF MILITARY LANDS.
(a) Reservation of Federal Authority.--
(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2) and subsection
(b) and notwithstanding the admission of the State into the
Union, authority is reserved in the United States for the
exercise by Congress of the power of exclusive legislation in
all cases whatsoever over such tracts or parcels of land
located within the State that, immediately prior to the
admission of the State, are controlled or owned by the United
States and held for defense or Coast Guard purposes.
(2) Limitation on authority.--The power of exclusive
legislation described in paragraph (1) shall vest and remain in
the United States only so long as the particular tract or
parcel of land involved is controlled or owned by the United
States and used for defense or Coast Guard purposes.
(b) Authority of State.--
(1) In general.--The reservation of authority in the United
States for the exercise by the Congress of the United States of
the power of exclusive legislation over military lands under
subsection (a) shall not operate to prevent such lands from
being a part of the State, or to prevent the State from
exercising over or upon such lands, concurrently with the
United States, any jurisdiction which it would have in the
absence of such reservation of authority and which is
consistent with the laws hereafter enacted by Congress pursuant
to such reservation of authority.
(2) Service of process.--The State shall have the right to
serve civil or criminal process within such tracts or parcels
of land in which the authority of the United States is reserved
under subsection (a) in suits or prosecutions for or on account
of rights acquired, obligations incurred, or crimes committed
within the State but outside of such tracts or parcels of land.
SEC. 203. WAIVER OF CLAIMS TO FEDERAL LANDS AND PROPERTY.
(a) In General.--As a compact with the United States, the State and
its people disclaim all right and title to any lands or other property
not granted or confirmed to the State or its political subdivisions by
or under the authority of this Act, the right or title to which is held
by the United States or subject to disposition by the United States.
(b) Effect on Claims Against United States.--
(1) In general.--Nothing contained in this Act shall
recognize, deny, enlarge, impair, or otherwise affect any claim
against the United States, and any such claim shall be governed
by applicable laws of the United States.
(2) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this Act is intended
or shall be construed as a finding, interpretation, or
construction by the Congress that any applicable law
authorizes, establishes, recognizes, or confirms the validity
or invalidity of any claim referred to in paragraph (1), and
the determination of the applicability or effect of any law to
any such claim shall be unaffected by anything in this Act.
SEC. 204. PERMITTING INDIVIDUALS RESIDING IN NEW SEAT OF GOVERNMENT TO
VOTE IN FEDERAL ELECTIONS IN STATE OF MOST RECENT
DOMICILE.
(a) Requirement for States To Permit Individuals To Vote by
Absentee Ballot.--
(1) In general.--Each State shall--
(A) permit absent District of Columbia voters to
use absentee registration procedures and to vote by
absentee ballot in general, special, primary, and
runoff elections for Federal office; and
(B) accept and process, with respect to any
general, special, primary, or runoff election for
Federal office, any otherwise valid voter registration
application from an absent District of Columbia voter,
if the application is received by the appropriate State
election official not less than 30 days before the
election.
(2) Absent district of columbia voter defined.--In this
section, the term ``absent District of Columbia voter'' means,
with respect to a State, a person who resides in the District
of Columbia after the admission of the State of Washington,
D.C. into the Union and is qualified to vote in the State (or
who would be qualified to vote in the State but for residing in
the District of Columbia), but only if the State is the last
place in which the person was domiciled before residing in the
District of Columbia.
(3) State defined.--In this section, the term ``State''
means each of the several States, including the State of
Washington, D.C.
(b) Recommendations to States To Maximize Access to Polls by Absent
District of Columbia Voters.--To afford maximum access to the polls by
absent District of Columbia voters, it is the sense of Congress that
the States should--
(1) waive registration requirements for absent District of
Columbia voters who, by reason of residence in the District of
Columbia, do not have an opportunity to register;
(2) expedite processing of balloting materials with respect
to such individuals; and
(3) assure that absentee ballots are mailed to such
individuals at the earliest opportunity.
(c) Enforcement.--The Attorney General may bring a civil action in
appropriate district court of the United States for such declaratory or
injunctive relief as may be necessary to carry out this section.
(d) Effect on Certain Other Laws.--The exercise of any right under
this section shall not affect, for purposes of any Federal, State, or
local tax, the residence or domicile of a person exercising such right.
(e) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect upon the date
of the admission of the State of Washington, D.C. into the Union, and
shall apply with respect to elections for Federal office taking place
on or after such date.
SEC. 205. REPEAL OF LAW PROVIDING FOR PARTICIPATION OF DISTRICT OF
COLUMBIA IN ELECTION OF PRESIDENT AND VICE-PRESIDENT.
(a) In General.--Chapter 1 of title 3, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) by striking section 21; and
(2) in the table of sections, by striking the item relating
to section 21.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall
take effect upon the date of the admission of the State into the Union,
and shall apply to any election of the President and Vice-President of
the United States taking place on or after such date.
SEC. 206. EXPEDITED PROCEDURES FOR CONSIDERATION OF CONSTITUTIONAL
AMENDMENT REPEALING 23RD AMENDMENT.
(a) Joint Resolution Described.--In this section, the term ``joint
resolution'' means a joint resolution--
(1) entitled ``A joint resolution proposing an amendment to
the Constitution of the United States to repeal the 23rd
article of amendment''; and
(2) the matter after the resolving clause of which consists
solely of text to amend the Constitution of the United States
to repeal the 23rd article of amendment to the Constitution.
(b) Expedited Consideration in House of Representatives.--
(1) Placement on calendar.--Upon introduction in the House
of Representatives, the joint resolution shall be placed
immediately on the appropriate calendar.
(2) Proceeding to consideration.--
(A) In general.--It shall be in order, not later
than 30 legislative days after the date the joint
resolution is introduced in the House of
Representatives, to move to proceed to consider the
joint resolution in the House of Representatives.
(B) Procedure.--For a motion to proceed to consider
the joint resolution--
(i) all points of order against the motion
are waived;
(ii) such a motion shall not be in order
after the House of Representatives has disposed
of a motion to proceed on the joint resolution;
(iii) the previous question shall be
considered as ordered on the motion to its
adoption without intervening motion;
(iv) the motion shall not be debatable; and
(v) a motion to reconsider the vote by
which the motion is disposed of shall not be in
order.
(3) Consideration.--When the House of Representatives
proceeds to consideration of the joint resolution--
(A) the joint resolution shall be considered as
read;
(B) all points of order against the joint
resolution and against its consideration are waived;
(C) the previous question shall be considered as
ordered on the joint resolution to its passage without
intervening motion except 10 hours of debate equally
divided and controlled by the proponent and an
opponent;
(D) an amendment to the joint resolution shall not
be in order; and
(E) a motion to reconsider the vote on passage of
the joint resolution shall not be in order.
(c) Expedited Consideration in Senate.--
(1) Placement on calendar.--Upon introduction in the
Senate, the joint resolution shall be placed immediately on the
calendar.
(2) Proceeding to consideration.--
(A) In general.--Notwithstanding rule XXII of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, it is in order, not later
than 30 legislative days after the date the joint
resolution is introduced in the Senate (even though a
previous motion to the same effect has been disagreed
to) to move to proceed to the consideration of the
joint resolution.
(B) Procedure.--For a motion to proceed to the
consideration of the joint resolution--
(i) all points of order against the motion
are waived;
(ii) the motion is not debatable;
(iii) the motion is not subject to a motion
to postpone;
(iv) a motion to reconsider the vote by
which the motion is agreed to or disagreed to
shall not be in order; and
(v) if the motion is agreed to, the joint
resolution shall remain the unfinished business
until disposed of.
(3) Floor consideration.--
(A) In general.--If the Senate proceeds to
consideration of the joint resolution--
(i) all points of order against the joint
resolution (and against consideration of the
joint resolution) are waived;
(ii) consideration of the joint resolution,
and all debatable motions and appeals in
connection therewith, shall be limited to not
more than 30 hours, which shall be divided
equally between the majority and minority
leaders or their designees;
(iii) a motion further to limit debate is
in order and not debatable;
(iv) an amendment to, a motion to postpone,
or a motion to commit the joint resolution is
not in order; and
(v) a motion to proceed to the
consideration of other business is not in
order.
(B) Vote on passage.--In the Senate the vote on
passage shall occur immediately following the
conclusion of the consideration of the joint
resolution, and a single quorum call at the conclusion
of the debate if requested in accordance with the rules
of the Senate.
(C) Rulings of the chair on procedure.--Appeals
from the decisions of the Chair relating to the
application of this subsection or the rules of the
Senate, as the case may be, to the procedure relating
to the joint resolution shall be decided without
debate.
(d) Rules Relating to Senate and House of Representatives.--
(1) Coordination with action by other house.--If, before
the passage by one House of the joint resolution of that House,
that House receives from the other House the joint resolution--
(A) the joint resolution of the other House shall
not be referred to a committee; and
(B) with respect to the joint resolution of the
House receiving the resolution--
(i) the procedure in that House shall be
the same as if no joint resolution had been
received from the other House; and
(ii) the vote on passage shall be on the
joint resolution of the other House.
(2) Treatment of joint resolution of other house.--If one
House fails to introduce or consider the joint resolution under
this section, the joint resolution of the other House shall be
entitled to expedited floor procedures under this section.
(3) Treatment of companion measures.--If, following passage
of the joint resolution in the Senate, the Senate receives the
companion measure from the House of Representatives, the
companion measure shall not be debatable.
(4) Vetoes.--If the President vetoes the joint resolution,
consideration of a veto message in the Senate under this
section shall be not more than 10 hours equally divided between
the majority and minority leaders or their designees.
(e) Rules of House of Representatives and Senate.--This section is
enacted by Congress--
(1) as an exercise of the rulemaking power of the Senate
and House of Representatives, respectively, and as such is
deemed a part of the rules of each House, respectively, but
applicable only with respect to the procedure to be followed in
that House in the case of the joint resolution, and supersede
other rules only to the extent that it is inconsistent with
such rules; and
(2) with full recognition of the constitutional right of
either House to change the rules (so far as relating to the
procedure of that House) at any time, in the same manner, and
to the same extent as in the case of any other rule of that
House.
TITLE III--GENERAL PROVISIONS
SEC. 301. GENERAL DEFINITIONS.
In this Act, the following definitions shall apply:
(1) The term ``Council'' means the Council of the District
of Columbia.
(2) The term ``Governor'' means the Governor of the State
of Washington, D.C.
(3) The term ``Mayor'' means the Mayor of the District of
Columbia.
(4) Except as otherwise provided, the term ``State'' means
the State of Washington, D.C.
(5) The term ``State Constitution'' means the proposed
Constitution of the State of Washington, D.C., as approved by
the Council of the District of Columbia on October 18, 2016,
pursuant to the Constitution and Boundaries for the State of
Washington, D.C. Approval Resolution of 2016 (D.C. Resolution
R21-621), and ratified by District of Columbia voters in
Advisory Referendum B approved on November 8, 2016, and
certified by the District of Columbia Board of Elections on
November 18, 2016.
(6) The term ``Washington, D.C.'' means Washington,
Douglass Commonwealth.
SEC. 302. CERTIFICATION OF ENACTMENT BY PRESIDENT.
Not more than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the
President shall certify such enactment to the Mayor of the District of
Columbia.
<all>
Introduced in House
Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, 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.
Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, 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.
Committee Hearings Held.
Committee Hearings Held.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1017. (consideration: CR H2521-2544)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 51.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
Mr. Keller moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Oversight and Reform. (text: CR H2542-2543)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Keller motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment requiring the President to make specified amendments to the State Constitution.
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The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the motion to recommit with instructions, the Chair put the question on the motion and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Keller demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further consideration on the motion to recommit until a time to be announced.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2555-2557)
On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 182 - 227 (Roll no. 121).
Roll Call #121 (House)Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 232 - 180 (Roll no. 122).(text: CR H2521-2531)
Roll Call #122 (House)On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 232 - 180 (Roll no. 122). (text: CR H2521-2531)
Roll Call #122 (House)Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Received in the Senate.
Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 522.