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SCR 4009

A concurrent resolution urging Congress to support admitting Washington, D.C. into the Union as a state of the United States.

69th Legislative Assembly (2025-26) Introduced by Ryan Braunberger and 1 co-sponsor

North Dakota urges Congress to admit Washington, D.C. as a state, ensuring DC residents gain full statehood rights while opposing federal moves that curb local self-government.

Second reading, failed to adopt
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SCR 4009

Summary: Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 4009 (SCR 4009) – Washington, D.C. Statehood

Overview

SCR 4009 is a concurrent resolution introduced in the Sixty-ninth North Dakota Legislative Assembly urging Congress to admit Washington, D.C. as a state of the United States. The measure expresses support for D.C. statehood, opposes federal actions that constrain local self-government in the District, and requests federal legislation to grant statehood to the residents of Washington, D.C. The resolution passed through committee with a “do not pass” recommendation and reached a second reading, where it failed to be adopted.

  • Bill type: Concurrent resolution
  • Bill number: SCR 4009
  • Introduced: January 27, 2025
  • Status: Second reading, failed to adopt
  • Legislative actions timeline:
    • Committee hearing: February 20, 2025
    • Committee action: Reported back, do not pass (February 20, 2025)
    • Second reading: February 24, 2025 (failed to adopt)

Purpose and Intent

The primary aim is to publicly support admitting Washington, D.C., into the Union as a state and to urge Congress and the President to enact legislation recognizing D.C. as a state. The resolution also signals opposition to federal actions that would limit local self-government in D.C. (e.g., Congressional or presidential efforts to disapprove, amend, or repeal locally enacted laws or to impose federal budget constraints on locally raised revenue).

Key Provisions

  • Acknowledges the historical status of Washington, D.C. as a federal district under congressional control since the District’s Organization Act of 1801 and the District of Columbia Home Rule Act of 1973, which granted limited home-rule authority but reserved broad congressional authority.
  • Cites constitutional and historical context surrounding DC’s lack of full statehood (e.g., 23rd Amendment provisions; prior non-voting delegate in the House; and past congressional actions related to DC statehood).
  • States North Dakota’s Legislature supports admitting Washington, D.C. to statehood.
  • Opposes federal actions that interfere with local self-government in D.C., including federal laws attempting to disapprove, amend, or repeal locally enacted DC laws and federal budget riders affecting locally raised tax revenue.
  • Calls on Congress and the President to enact federal legislation granting statehood to Washington, D.C.
  • Directs the Secretary of State of North Dakota to transmit copies of the resolution to the President, the Vice President (President of the U.S. Senate), the Speaker of the House, and North Dakota’s congressional delegation.

Affected Parties and Impacts

  • Primary beneficiaries: Residents of Washington, D.C., who would gain full statehood rights (e.g., representation in Congress with two Senators and Representatives, and other state-like authorities), subject to federal admission and constitutional processes.
  • North Dakota institutions: Public recognition of a national policy position aligning with DC statehood; potential implications for federal-state relations and election-to-statehood discourse.
  • Federal process: The resolution expresses a state-level position urging Congress and the President to act on DC statehood, but it does not itself alter federal law or create statehood; enactment would require Congressional action and constitutional steps.

Procedural and Timeline Notes

  • SCR 4009 is a concurrent resolution, expressing the stance of North Dakota’s Legislature rather than creating new law.
  • The bill’s status indicates it did not advance to adoption at the second reading, effectively signaling ND legislative support that did not culminate in passage at this time.
  • The resolution cites historical context and prior DC statehood proposals (e.g., DC statehood initiatives in Congress) to justify its urging.

Bottom Line

SCR 4009 articulates North Dakota’s support for admitting Washington, D.C. as a state and urges federal action to grant statehood, while opposing federal measures that curb D.C.’s local self-government. As of the latest actions, the resolution did not pass the second reading.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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