Residents of Washington, D.C. pay federal taxes, but don’t have Senators or a Representative to vote on issues affecting them. Local laws that voters support can be overruled by Congress without the protective rights of a state. D.C. has a larger population than both Vermont and Wyoming, but less say in our government than either. In 2016, 86% of Washington, D.C. voted for statehood over the unjust status quo.

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Now, the Trump administration is again exploiting emergency powers to take control of D.C. Under the guise of the city being “taken over by violent gangs and bloodthirsty criminals”, Trump has invoked section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, even though crime in D.C. is at a 30 year low. Using this rule, Trump is able to deploy the National Guard and federalize the D.C. police department to fight crime against “roving mobs of wild youth, drugged out maniacs and homeless people”. These unprecedented steps have no basis in reality and are another abuse of power by Trump and his administration.

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Given these recent events, lawmakers should prioritize making the District of Columbia a state and ensure that the over 700,00 people living in the district receive fair and equal treatment by the federal government. Demand that Members of Congress support H.R. 51 and S. 51 to finally grant statehood to the District of Columbia.

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All of Illinois Democrat House members have co-sponsored H.R. 51.  Both Senators Durbin and Duckworth have co-sponsored S. 51.  The three Illinois Republican House members:  Mary Miller, Mike Bost and Darrin LaHood are NOT co-sponsoring this bill.  Click on their names to see their Washington phone numbers. 

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Call script to those Illinois House of Representatives that are NOT co-sponsoring the bill:

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Hi, my name is [NAME] and I live in Illinois. 

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I'm calling to urge Rep. __________  to support H.R. 51 to make the District of Columbia the 51st state in the union. The Trump administration’s unjustified move to federalize the D.C. police and deploy the National Guard clearly demonstrates that the District of Columbia deserves self-determination and full voting representation in Congress.

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Thank you for your hard work answering the phones.

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IF LEAVING VOICEMAIL: Please leave your full street address to ensure your call is tallied.

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Call script to THANK your Illinois House Representative and Senators for co-sponsoring these bills.

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Hi, my name is [NAME] and I live in the town of _______________.

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I'm calling to thank Rep. __________ /Senator _______ for co-sponsoring the resolution to make the District of Columbia the 51st state in the union. The Trump administration’s unjustified move to federalize the D.C. police and deploy the National Guard clearly demonstrates that the District of Columbia deserves self-determination and full voting representation in Congress.

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Thank you for your hard work and for answering the phones.

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IF LEAVING VOICEMAIL: Please leave your full street address to ensure your call is tallied.

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