Now that Congress has decided to try to rectify the financial and political mess in the District of Columbia (“D.C. loses its autonomy as U.S. takes firm control,” Page 1, Aug. 6), we can count on renewed calls for statehood for the district.
If the district is made a state, the reason for a federal district outside the jurisdiction and influence of any state is no longer valid. So if a federal district is not needed, the simplest solution is to return the district to Maryland, just as Virginia’s portion of the district south of the Potomac was returned to that state in 1846.
As a part of Maryland, the district’s 550,000 residents would probably constitute a congressional district so that their present delegate in the House would be able to vote on the floor instead of just in committees.
All that is needed is to sell the idea to Maryland.
