Answered by Vox Season 1 Episode 49 Can DC Become The 51st State?

Can DC Become The 51st State? In this episode of Answered by Vox, the show takes a deep dive into the push for Washington D.C. to become the 51st state of the United States. The show's host, Sean Illing, brings in experts to discuss the arguments for and against granting statehood to our nation's capital.

The episode opens with a brief history of Washington D.C.'s unique position in the United States. Established as the capital of the newly formed country in 1790, D.C. was designed as a seat of power for the federal government, but was not granted statehood at the time. Instead, it became a federal district, with Congress having ultimate control over its governance. This arrangement has long been a point of contention for D.C. residents, who have been advocating for statehood for decades.

Sean Illing then introduces his guest for the episode, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser. Mayor Bowser has been a vocal advocate for D.C. statehood, and Illing asks her to explain why she believes it is necessary. Mayor Bowser lays out a number of arguments, from the lack of voting representation in Congress for D.C. residents to the inability of the city to fully govern itself due to federal interference. She argues that D.C. should be granted statehood like any other American city or state.

Next, Illing brings in Kermit Roosevelt III, a constitutional law expert, to discuss the legal hurdles that would need to be overcome to make D.C. a state. Roosevelt explains that the Constitution grants Congress the power to govern the federal district, and any change to that arrangement would require a constitutional amendment or an act of Congress. He discusses the various proposals for granting D.C. statehood, including retroceding the land back to Maryland or carving out a smaller federal district and allowing the rest to become a state. Roosevelt explains the challenges with each of these proposals, and the potential legal battles that could ensue.

The episode then shifts to a discussion of the political implications of D.C. statehood. Illing brings in Leah Wright Rigueur, a historian of American politics, to discuss the partisan divide on the issue. She explains that there is a long history of D.C. residents being denied full political rights due to their race and economic status, and that this has contributed to the city's current lack of statehood. Rigueur argues that granting D.C. statehood would be a way to rectify these past injustices and move towards a more inclusive democracy. However, she acknowledges that there is significant opposition to the idea from Republicans, who argue that it would give Democrats an unfair advantage in Congress.

Finally, Illing brings in Ian Millhiser, a legal expert and journalist, to discuss the broader implications of D.C. statehood for American democracy. Millhiser explains that the current arrangement of non-voting representation for D.C. residents is a fundamental violation of democratic principles, and that granting statehood would be a way to address this problem. He also argues that the opposition to D.C. statehood is rooted in a broader conservative effort to restrict voting and limit democratic participation. Millhiser suggests that granting statehood to D.C. could be a way to push back against these efforts and expand access to democracy.

Overall, this episode of Answered by Vox provides a thoughtful and nuanced exploration of the push for D.C. statehood. By bringing in experts from a range of fields, the show provides a comprehensive look at the legal, political, and social arguments for and against granting statehood to the city. While there are no clear answers to the questions raised in the episode, the discussion serves as a valuable starting point for anyone looking to learn more about this important issue.