250: U.S.’s Upcoming Milestone Birthday and Number of Sponsors/Co-Sponsors of D.C. Statehood Legislation in Current Congress

By: Miriam Edelman

As it is now 2026, the U.S.’s 250^th birthday is fast approaching. Commemorations for this landmark birthday have already begun. For example, soon after the traditional ball dropped in Times Square, New York City, on January 1, 2026, a special America 250 video was played and then an America 250 ball dropped in Times Square. Many more celebrations will occur later this year.

Two-hundred-and-fifty is a major number. Coincidentally, exactly 250 Members of Congress are sponsors or co-sponsors of the current House and Senate bills that would grant statehood to the residents of our nation’s capital. Two-hundred-and-fifty Members of Congress constitute almost half of the total number of Members of Congress.

H.R. 51 - Washington, D.C. Admission Act has one sponsor [D.C.’s own Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC)] and 205 co-sponsors. Co-sponsors include top House leaders. Although some of these co-sponsors are no longer in Congress because they passed away [i.e. – Gerald Connolly (D-VA)] or resigned [i.e. – Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ)], the number of cosponsors is 205. Both Democratic winners of special elections to the House during the current Congress [i.e. – James Walkinshaw (D-VA) and Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ)] in 2025 have signed on as co-sponsors. Grijalva became the 250^th sponsor or co-sponsor of Congressional legislation on D.C. statehood when she signed on to H.R. 51 January 12, 2026.

Meanwhile, S.51 - Washington, D.C. Admission Act has one sponsor [Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)] and 43 co-sponsors. Co-sponsors include top Senate leaders.

Two-hundred-and-fifty sponsors/co-sponsors is a high number, but it is not sufficient for Washington, D.C., to achieve statehood. D.C. must become a state.