Recognizing the enduring cultural and historical significance of emancipation in the Nation's capital on the anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln's signing of the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act, which established the "first freed" on April 16, 1862, and celebrating passage of the District of Columbia statehood bill in the House of Representatives.
About This Bill
Committee
Latest Action · April 15, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
This resolution honors the historical significance of April 16, 1862, when President Abraham Lincoln signed the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act, freeing approximately 3,100 enslaved people in the nation's capital—making it the first place in the United States to end slavery. The resolution recognizes that DC residents today pay more per capita in federal taxes than any state residents, serve in the military, and meet all citizenship obligations, yet lack voting representation in Congress, which it frames as contrary to the founding principle of no taxation without representation. The measure also celebrates the House's passage of the Washington, DC Admission Act, which would grant DC statehood, and calls on Congress to pass that legislation. The resolution has no direct budget impact or implementation timeline, as it is a symbolic measure expressing support for DC statehood and commemorating the historical significance of emancipation in the nation's capital.
Take Action
Your position
Add a comment
to comment on this bill.
Annotate the text
Highlight any passage on the Summary or Full Text tab to attach a note. Annotations appear on the Annotations tab.