The House has scheduled the first hearing on D.C. statehood legislation in 26 years — on July 24 in the Oversight and Reform Committee, which is chaired by Rep. Elijah E. Cummings (D-Md.).

“For 218 years, residents of the District of Columbia have lived in our country as American citizens without equal representation or equal self-government,” said D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D), the chief sponsor of the legislation. “I am particularly grateful to Chairman Cummings for his leadership in pressing forward with the necessary hearing on our D.C. statehood bill to enable our bill to go to the House floor.”

Four Maryland members initially co-sponsored the legislation: Reps. Anthony G. Brown (D), Jamie Raskin (D), C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D) and John P. Sarbanes (D). 

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