The District of Columbia entered the Union as a federal district on February 21, 1871.
It hosts the seat of the government of the United States.
Like other citizens living in states, D.C. citizens pay full federal and local taxes, but they
do not get the privileges of representation and independence that the states have. Also,
unlike the states, when D.C. receives federal funding, the funding comes with directives
on how the money should be spent.
D.C. residents do not have voting representatives in the Senate or in the House of
Representatives to protect their interests. They have nonvoting representation that can
sit on committees, but the representatives cannot vote on bills affecting their District.
Senators and members of Congress from the states have voting powers.
D.C. residents have a limited Presidential vote equal to the smallest state regardless
of their population, and have only had the right to vote for the President since the 1964
election.
Unlike states who can appoint their own local judges, the President appoints D.C.'s
local judges. Congress only delegated power to an elected mayor and 13-member city
council in 1974, and Congress continues to review and modify D.C.'s laws and budget.
