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HF 142MINNESOTASession 2025-2026State Billdead

Did Not Advance

Minnesota Legislature Urges Congress to Grant Statehood to Washington, D.C.

Original title: A resolution urging Congress to pass federal legislation granting statehood to the people of Washington, D.C.

Last action · February 17, 2026: Author added RehmSponsors: Mike Freiberg and 14 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Proposed

The Minnesota Legislature formally urges the United States Congress to pass legislation admitting Washington, D.C., as the 51st state of the United States. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to transmit copies of the to the President, congressional leadership, relevant committee chairs, and Minnesota's congressional delegation.

Why it matters

This formal records Minnesota's official position on federal voting rights and congressional representation for over 680,000 U.S. citizens residing in the national capital.

Background

Washington, D.C., was established as the nation's capital under exclusive federal jurisdiction, which historically left its residents without voting representation in Congress. context
H.R. 51 and S. 51, known as the Washington, D.C. Admission Act, have been introduced in previous sessions of Congress to admit the district as a state. context

Who It Would Have Affected

Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

residents of the District of Columbia

The resolution advocates for granting them full congressional representation, voting rights, and statehood.

Directly affected

Minnesota's Senators and Representatives in Congress

They receive official copies of the memorial transmitted by the Minnesota Secretary of State.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does HF 142 propose?

It is a non-binding legislative resolution urging the U.S. Congress to grant statehood to Washington, D.C.

Who receives copies of this resolution once passed?

The Secretary of State of Minnesota is directed to transmit copies to the President, congressional leaders, relevant committee chairs, and Minnesota's congressional delegation.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

Coverage by outlet perspective1 article

Center 1

Blind spot - only covered by center outlets

U.S. 51 Ohio River "Cairo" Bridge reopened to traffic late Friday

The Southern IllinoisanJul 17, 2026

The U.S. 51 bridge connecting Wickliffe, Kentucky, and Cairo, Illinois, has reopened to traffic following the completion of repair work. The bridge was reopened late Friday.

Bias ratings based on AllSides / Media Bias/Fact Check

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Votes, people, money & the original source

Where This Stands

This resolution did not become law - Died at adjournment · introduced in the House.

Procedural history

7 actions

Feb 17, 2026House
Author added Rehm
Mar 20, 2025House
Author added Finke
Mar 10, 2025House
Author added Greene
Feb 26, 2025House
Author added Falconer
Feb 17, 2025House
Author added Jones
Feb 13, 2025House
Authors added Smith, Hemmingsen-Jaeger, and Curran

Show 1 earlier action

Feb 10, 2025HouseIntroduced
Introduction and first reading, referred to State Government Finance and Policy

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →

Lobbying Activity

No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.

Full breakdown

Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.

Discoveries

1 pattern noticed across the record

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

cross reference100% confidence

Federal Bill Reference

The document references federal bills H.R. 51 and S. 51 introduced in the 118th Congress.

Eleanor Holmes Norton Tom Carper

Connected Entities

Washington, D.C., United States House of Representatives, United States Congress and 5 more

locationWashington, D.C.“The district proposed for statehood.”Map →

OrganizationUnited States House of Representatives“Federal legislative chamber.”Map →

OrganizationUnited States Congress“The federal legislative body urged to pass statehood legislation.”Map →

OrganizationUnited Nations Human Rights Committee“Body that called on Congress to address political equality.”Map →

OrganizationUnited States Senate“Federal legislative chamber.”Map →

PersonEleanor Holmes Norton“District of Columbia Delegate who introduced H.R. 51.”Map →

PersonTom Carper“Delaware U.S. Senator who introduced S. 51.”Map →

OrganizationOrganization of American States“Organization that declared disenfranchisement a violation of its charter.”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.revisor.mn.gov

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance20
Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 25)
Controversy60
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment5
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz30
Current news / social attention level

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