"Does Maryland have any jurisdiction over the District of Columbia today? It does not."
"We now thank you, Madam Chair, Speaker Pelosi, Leader Schumer, our Congresswoman, and your Democratic colleagues and President Biden, for righting that wrong last week with the American Rescue Plan."
"D.C. wants to continue to receive their special benefits for schools, for colleges, for roads, billions of dollars in Federal funds."
"D.C. wants to become a state so it can levy taxes on people who are working in D.C."
"D.C. residents themselves overwhelmingly support statehood. In 2016, an astonishing 86 percent voted in favor of becoming a state."
"Let me say at the outset that this hearing will refute each of the contentions just raised by the ranking member."
"D.C. residents deserve full voting representation in the Senate and House and complete control over local affairs."
"That is not a reason to disenfranchise over 700,000 people."
"Both Republican and Democratic Justice Departments who have looked at the issue have said that a constitutional amendment is required for D.C. Statehood."
"Congress cannot force retrocession on Maryland, so the idea is impractical."
"Population size should not be a condition predicate to democracy."