Republican Sen. Roger Marshall (Kan.) introduced a bill on Thursday to make Washington, D.C., part of the state of Maryland in response to the House passing a bill to make D.C. the 51st state in the U.S.
The issue of D.C. statehood is split between Democrats and Republicans due to the likelihood the District would elect Democrats to Congress.
Many Republicans such as Marshall and Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) have suggested that D.C. should become a part of Maryland instead of being its own state.
“If the Democrats want D.C. statehood, make it part of Maryland,” Marshall said when announcing his bill.
Although the bill to make D.C. its own state passed in the House, it will face an uphill battle in the Senate due to the even split between parties.
“Three months into the 117th Congress, it appears Democrats are determined to rush through power grab after power grab. Their latest effort to grant D.C. statehood is just another example of their political greediness and goal to alter the very fabric of our republic. Americans recognize this blatant power grab intended to increase the number of Democrat Senators so they can enact their radical agenda and forever tip the scales of power in their favor,” Marshall said in a statement.
Similar legislation has been introduced in the House to make D.C. a part of Maryland.
D.C. currently has three electoral votes in the presidential election and one House member who is not allowed to vote on legislation.