The Majority of Americans Are Opposed to D.C. Statehood

In their infinite wisdom, Congress will be holding hearings this summer on the issue of D.C. statehood. For Democrats in Congress, making the District of Columbia our 51st state makes sense. Staunchly leftist, the citizens of our nation’s capital would guarantee the Democrats a larger representation in both Houses. However, the Dems’ push to grant D.C. statehood flies in the face of the wishes of the majority of American, according to a new poll released by Gallup on Monday. The findings reveal that 64% of Americans oppose statehood for D.C.

Gallup’s report, written by Jeffrey Jones, explains that:

The latest results are based on a June 19-30, 2019, Gallup poll, conducted in advance of congressional hearings on a bill to make Washington, D.C., a state. Although the Constitution does afford Washington, D.C., electoral votes in presidential elections, the district does not have a voting member in the House or Senate. Moreover, Congress has the ability to review and to block any policies passed by the Washington, D.C., mayor and city council.

As Gallup points out, Democrats are highly unlikely to actually grant D.C. statehood. That would require them controlling both houses of Congress and having a Democrat President. At this point, the Republican-controlled Senate would most likely not even consider a bill if it passed the House. Even in the eventuality that the Democrats controlled both the legislative and executive branches of government, they would still be flying in the face of Democrats’ opinions regarding D.C. statehood.

No major subgroups of Americans voice support for D.C. statehood. However, support is higher among left-leaning political groups than right-leaning ones. Self-described liberals (40%) and Democrats (39%) are among the groups showing higher support. Republicans (15%) and conservatives (14%) are among the subgroups least supportive. Thirty percent of independents approve of making D.C. a separate state.

Their current poll is consistent with previous polls, according to Gallup. With Americans unmoved in their opposition to D.C. statehood, the upcoming congressional hearings on the matter are a complete waste of the taxpayers’ money. However, as has been demonstrated time after time, Democrats have zero qualms about wasting taxpayers’ money.