The battle for DC statehood: Politics Weekly Extra

The Guardian's Washington bureau chief, David Smith, speaks to the campaign director for 51 for 51, Stasha Rhodes, who is advocating for the US capital to become a state, giving more than 700,000 residents equal representation in Congress

Washington DC's residents pay more in federal taxes than those of 22 other states. The District of Columbia's 700,000-plus residents are essentially disenfranchised, however, with no voting representation in either chamber of Congress.

Both sides of the DC statehood debate put forward their arguments at a hearing before the House committee on oversight and reform last week. David Smith talks to Stasha Rhodes about why Republicans are trying to block a statehood bill up for a vote on the House floor before the summer.