Playing catch up here. Received this e-mail from U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen’s (D. MD) re-election campaign:

For far too long the people of the District of Columbia have been denied their right of self-governance and have faced taxation without representation. This injustice must end.

Washington, DC should be a state. And we can make it one.

After decades of organizing by committed activists and community leaders, serious momentum is building to finally provide the people of DC with voting representation in Congress and the right to self-governance.

Last year, the House passed legislation to make Washington, DC a state. And this week, we introduced companion legislation in the Senate to do the same.

Democrats now have a slim majority in the Senate and we need to use it to finally deliver the same fundamental rights to the people of Washington, DC that are afforded to residents of the other 50 states.

Add your name to call on the U.S. Senate to pass legislation making Washington, DC our nation’s 51st state. With enough public pressure, we can get this done >>

ADD YOUR NAME

This situation is shameful and has gone on for too long. On January 6th we saw DC leaders prevented from deploying their National Guard troops to defend the Capitol complex without approval from Trump appointees.

The fact is: DC residents pay more in federal income tax than residents of 22 other states, but DC residents have no say over how those tax dollars are spent. This must end.

I’m going to do everything in my power to get this done, but I need you with me. Add your name to demand statehood for Washington, DC NOW >>

ADD YOUR NAME

The people of DC deserve full representation. They can’t do this without us.

Thank you.

Chris

Click here to add your name.

While we’re on the topic of Van Hollen, I’m liking this:

Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen introduced legislation earlier this week which would fully fund two federal education mandates that help students with special needs and high poverty schools.

For years states have complained that Congress passed laws requiring school districts to provide additional services to some students — often the most expensive to educate — but has not provided the full funding for them.

“I see this as an investment that will produce substantial returns not just to the students but to the country by expanding people’s economic opportunities,” he said.

Van Hollen has introduced the legislation every year since he was elected to the Senate in 2016, but it has never passed. Rep. Susie Lee, a Democrat representing Nevada, will introduce the bill, called the Keep Our Promise to America’s Children and Teachers (PACT) Act, in the House.

Click here to contact Van Hollen’s office for more details.