Media Credit: File Photo by Arielle Bader | Assistant Photo Editor GW's chapter of Students for D.C. Statehood brings both Republicans and Democrats together to fight for representation for the District's 700,000 residents. Updated: Feb. 4, 2020 at 1:59 p.m. With Democrats gaining control of Congress and a new president, students say advocates for D.C. statehood have been emboldened with the prospect of establishing the District as the 51st state. The topic of D.C. statehood has shot to the top of national attention over the past year, after the city received relatively smaller COVID-19 stimulus packages and lacked the authority to call in the National Guard when rioters supporting former President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol. Matthew Oberstaedt, the president of the GW chapter of Students for D.C. Statehood, said members are using that momentum to increase advocacy efforts by lobbying members of Congress and joining forces with other advocacy organizations.