Many Americans view the U.S. as the oldest democracy, or the longest standing democracy in the world, and therefore “leaders of the free world”, the standard-bearer for mature stable modern democracy. Yet the health of our democracy is in need of repair (H.R.1/S.1 - Action Alert)(H.R.4/S.4) and the U.S. is the singular democracy on the planet that bars residents of its capital city, Washington D.C., The District of Columbia, from full and proper representation in its national legislature. 

This blemish on self-governance is persistent taxation without representation for 700,000 people at the very doorstep of our democracy. We must support H.R.51/S.51, the Washington, D.C. Admission Act in order to correct this injustice because we support universal voting rights. And the House is expected to vote on this soon, then it's off to the Senate.

As Unitarian Universalists, we believe our 5th Principle, “The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large” compels us to advocate for a healthy inclusive democracy. Further, our Statement of Conscience 2019 - Democracy Uncorrupted underscores that our democratic government should include “universal voting rights that lead to and encourage higher voter participation rates” and that “Fixing our democracy requires examining how structural racism, sexism, money, environmental exploitation, militarization, and other systemic forms of oppression contribute to the accumulation of wealth and consolidation of political power.” If we truly honor our 7 Principles, we must live the value of granting equal rights, including the right to vote, to all-- and that means the residents of D.C.

In the case of D.C., a population greater than Vermont and Wyoming has been systematically disenfranchised for generations through insufficient and inadequate representation in Congress, and particularly in the Senate. 

• D.C. Mayor Murial Bowser has pointed to an egregious and shameful history of racial injustice as one driver for this circumstance testifying “Historic records are replete with statements of successive members of Congress referencing the ‘negro problem’ and the ‘color problem’ within D.C. as a justification to withhold Congressional representation.” This matter is therefore also a racial justice issue. (See her March 22 testimony before the House Committee on Oversight and Reforms.)

• The Census Bureau finds nearly half the population of the District of Columbia is Black or African American followed by non-Hispanic White (37.5%), Hispanic or Latino (11.3%), and Asian (4.5%), making D.C. one of only a handful of majority-minority jurisdictions in America.

• And like several states, D.C. residents have participated in every war since the founding of the U.S., with more than 26,000 veterans currently residing in D.C.

 UUSJ’s Democracy Action Team believes D.C. Statehood is a matter of justice, and a principled priority for the health of our democracy. Statehood for D.C. is the only way this injustice can be mitigated. To preserve federal autonomy, H.R.51 carves out the immediate area around the White House, the National Mall, and the Capitol complex as “the Capital”, preserving these highly relevant areas of D.C. for federal purposes.

Passing H.R. 51 allows Congress to adhere to our nation’s founding mandate to build a more perfect union. It corrects long-standing injustices: a constitutional injustice, and a persistent racial injustice. 

We urge you to contact your Representative and Senators, in solidarity with the residents of D.C, and help send a powerful message that UUs support H.R. 51, the Washington, D.C. Admission Act because we support universal voting rights.

UUA statements on Self-Government for Washington, DC

• Self-Government for the District of Columbia 1962 General Resolution
• Self-Determination for Blacks and Other Ethnic Groups 1968 General Resolution
• Representation in Congress and Self-Government for the District of Columbia 1970 General Resolution
• Stop Voter Suppression and Partner for Voting Rights and a Multiracial Democracy 2021 Action of Immediate Witness