What is the DC statehood bill? Patrizia Rizzo, SEO Reporter Updated: Apr 22 2021, 13:40 ET THE House of Representatives passed a bill that would grant Washington DC statehood. The bill is now in the hands of the Senate, where it needs 60 votes to pass. 3 What is the DC statehood bill? The DC statehood bill aims to make Washington DC the 51st state in the US. The bill would give the district two senators and a voting representative in the House, it would also grant equal representation and voting rights in the US. It passed in the House of Representatives with a 216-208 vote.