Recognizing on Memorial Day, May 25, 2026, 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.
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 1304
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-19: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-29T15:57:34Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H. Res. 1304
Purpose
This resolution seeks to acknowledge on Memorial Day, May 25, 2026, the lack of voting representation in Congress and full local self-government for active duty servicemembers, National Guard members, reservists, veterans, and their families living in the District of Columbia. It highlights their military service and sacrifice while supporting passage of the Washington, D.C. Admission Act to grant statehood.
Key Provisions
- Recognizes that District of Columbia residents have earned voting representation in the House of Representatives and Senate, along with full local self-government.
- States that on Memorial Day, the House of Representatives recognizes that active duty servicemembers, National Guard members, reservists, veterans, and their families who reside in the District of Columbia deserve passage of the Washington, D.C. Admission Act (H.R. 51 and S. 51).
- Includes background details on Memorial Day, military service history, and casualty figures from major wars showing District of Columbia residents contributed more per capita than residents of several states.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This measure is a non-binding resolution and does not amend or alter any existing laws. It serves as a symbolic statement rather than a legislative change.
Potential Impacts
- On citizens: May increase public awareness of voting and self-government issues for approximately 30,000 veterans and other military-affiliated residents in the District of Columbia.
- On government agencies: Could prompt discussions in Congress about the District of Columbia's status, though it carries no enforceable requirements.
- On international relations: No direct effects identified in the resolution.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Residents of the District of Columbia, particularly those with military service or family ties.
- Members of Congress, as the resolution urges support for statehood legislation.
- The broader military and veteran community, given the focus on their service.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- The resolution ties into ongoing debates about the District of Columbia's unique status under the U.S. Constitution, which establishes it as the federal seat of government.
- It references the principle of "no taxation without representation" from the Revolutionary War era.
- Politically, it endorses specific statehood bills with 207 cosponsors in the House and 43 in the Senate, framing the issue around military service and Memorial Day observances.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-19: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- 2026-05-19: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Recognizing on Memorial Day, May 25, 2026, 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. — issued 2026-05-19 — PDF (3 pages)