Sen. Joe Manchin is 'open' to statehood for D.C., Puerto Rico

The Washington Times ^ | Sunday, January 10, 2021 | Ryan Lovelace

[OldGoatCPO]

They tried that once before and it failed the smell test. There are legal issues with shrinking DC and not returning the surrounding areas to their respective States. I am no a lawyer so I did not understand exactly why that was not legal. But there are issues with that.

[rxsid]

"So, it does not require a Constitutional Amendment?

No, it doesn't.

Congress passes 4 bills to make DC, Puerto Rico, Guam and U.S. Virgin Islands all states, and "president" biden or "president" harris signs them.

That's all it takes and the (D)'s have just added +8 senators for themselves and 7-8 reps in the house as well as 8 new (D) governors and (D) controlled state legislatures.

And there isn't a damn thing the redist of red states can do about it (so long as they are part of the "united" states of america). They've just been diluted.

[rxsid]

Wrong.

DC will follow the Tennessee plan and Pueto Rico passed their referendum for statehood last November.

All documented here.

All it takes is congress passing a law making any/all of them states and "president" biden or "president" usurper harris signing the bill into law. presto-chango, new states.

[MinorityRepublican]

That's all it takes and the (D)'s have just added +8 senators for themselves and 7-8 reps in the house as well as 8 new (D) governors and (D) controlled state legislatures.

Blatant power grab like this would start a civil war.

[OldGoatCPO]

DC is mandated in the constitution, which is why they tried to shrink it once before. To make DC a State as it is today requires a constitutional amendment removing the requirement that the city itself not be part of a State and be run by Congress. NO referendum means shit with regards to DC. Now, if they find a way to legally reduce DC to a few city blocks, then the surrounding area the size of a large county could be made a State. According to the details in an article from the last attempt to do this there are legal issues with doing that. Had there not been issues with it, there would have been a DC State during Obama’s first two years.

I am not say they do not have a work around, and I am not saying they will not do it, I am simply pointing out why previous attempts have failed. Same with PR, there is a strong nationalist group there and they want independence not Statehood. There may be legal issues with using that referendum when it requires a plurality of the State votes for statehood. The last referendum did not have a plurality only 23% voted because of the feeling by voters that it was just another charade vote.

[Reily]

He’s maneuvering to try & present himself as Rat presidential material for 2024. Also possibly as VP selection should Kamala suddenly need one.

[rxsid]

Again, it's all documented in that link. Regarding DC specifically, one of the 3 sources cited is their own site:

https://statehood.dc.gov/page/why-statehood-dc

https://statehood.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/statehood/page_content/attachments/ProposedFederalEnclaveMarkup.pdf

They're going to do it. Bank on it. PR will follow and since it's open season on their power grab, Guam and USVI will follow.

[rxsid]

You would think it would. But we shall see.

[rxsid]

Obvious correction: +8 senators for themselves and 7-8 reps in the house as well as 8 4 new (D) governors and (D) controlled state legislatures.

[OldGoatCPO]

Do not assume Guam is strictly liberal it's population is a mix of natives and a whole lot of military, DOD and civilian contractors. The markup failed last time, where they may succeed this time is Maryland and Virginia will give up their claim to the areas that would be designated as a State. I read those articles and some legal opinions as well. Will it happen I think it will. Will it be both DC and PR, I am not so sure. As for USVI and America Samoa, I am not sure how that would play out. But just like packing the court they will create a scenario where when one party is in charge they will create more states to offset the other party. Yes the GOP could still win the Senate with DC and PR. The economy will crater as a result of incorporating two welfare states into the Union. A cratered economy changes peoples minds about who they vote for.

[rxsid]

Never said Guam was "strictly liberal."

Had you clicked the link, and checked source 15b, you would have seen that the current political make up of Guam, is this:

• Governor Lou Leon Guerrero (D)
• Lt. Governor Josh Tenorio (D)
• House delegate Michael San Nicolas (D)

Their current house delegate is a (D).

And that source links to the source that describes their current legislature.

Speaker Therese M. Terlaje (D) since January 4, 2021
Vice Speaker Tina Rose Muña Barnes (D) since January 4, 2021
Majority Leader Telena Cruz Nelson (D) since January 7, 2019
Legislative Secretary Amanda Shelton (D) since January 7, 2019
Majority Whip Sabina E. Perez (D) since January 4, 2021
Assistant Majority Whip Joe S. San Agustin (D) since January 4, 2021
Minority Leader James C. Moylan (R) since January 4, 2021
Minority Whip Frank F. Blas Jr. (R) since January 4, 2021