Thread by @MSNBC

Do you know the process of making Washington, D.C., a state?

MSNBC's @tiffanydcross breaks it down here. msnbc.com/cross-connecti…
(1/8) #MSNBCThreads

The origins of D.C. come from our constitution, which called for a district "not exceeding 10 miles square" to be the seat of our federal government. (2/8)

Per the Constitution, the district is under the jurisdiction of Congress. It does have a mayor, but Congress can override city decisions. (3/8)

Some opponents of D.C. statehood say the founding fathers wouldn't have wanted the small federal district outlined in our Constitution to be surrounded by a tiny state. (4/8)

However, the population of D.C. is nearly 45% Black and Republicans know D.C. is also overwhelmingly Democratic. So adding two more likely blue senators to the chamber only chips away at GOP power. (5/8)

D.C. statehood could easily pass the House, but in the Senate (where D.C. has no representation), Democrats would need 60 votes to overcome an expected Republican filibuster. (6/8)

Meaning, Democrats would 10 of their GOP colleagues to sign on. Or, Democrats could just kill the filibuster altogether and pass D.C. statehood with a simple 51-50 majority. (7/8)

The quest for D.C. statehood still faces an uphill climb — just not as steep as before. (8/8) msnbc.com/cross-connecti…