"They are part of an effort to deny Americans who live in Washington the right to participate in representative government."
"The Constitution does not allow any of this because Section 4 of Article IV says that the validity of the public debt shall not be questioned."
"The rate of gun deaths in Mississippi is over 30 percent higher than it is in D.C."
"statehood is an imperative of basic democratic values, but also of governmental efficiency."
"Gun violence is now the leading cause of death for children under 18, surpassing car accidents, pediatric cancer, and contagious diseases."
"You see, he thinks it is her fault that he sexually abused her."
"If D.C. were to become a state, the Governor, the new executive of the state, would have control over the National Guard."
"D.C. residents are Americans who deserve the same rights to Federal representation that each of our constituents have across the country."
"Instead, we have gathered today to hold a second hearing to micromanage the local affairs of Washington, DC."
"You sent hundreds of officers who stood shoulder to shoulder with the Capitol Police, and we know many of them were injured in the process."
"If D.C. became a state, then they will be completely responsible for the crime situation."