A Senate PSA. If DC and PR were already states ...

[Statistical]

Garland likely would have been confirmed in 2016 and at a minimum Dumpy would have been forced to pick a moderate instead of Justice Handmaid.

We need to open DC and PR to statehood.

[msongs]

1. PR is governed by republicans. not a slam dunk there nt

[tritsofme]

2. If my math is right, Republicans would have still held Senate majorities since 2015 if DC and PR

became states and both sent two Democratic senators.

2015-2017 was a 54-46 Republican majority, they still would have controlled 54-50 and been able to block Garland.

2017-2019 was 52-48 Republican majority, that would be 52-52 with Pence breaking the tie. Maybe Democrats could have forced Garland through in early January during their brief majority, but it wouldn’t be assured.

2019-2021 Republicans currently have a 53-47 majority that would be reduced to 53-51.

Just pointing out that adding states would certainly help our position in the Senate, but it is not a panacea.

[Amishman]

3. How many seats would the backlash cost us elsewhere?

Especially in the case of DC.

Support for DC statehood is very low.

https://www.fivethirtyeight.com/features/why-dont-americans-want-d-c-to-be-a-state/amp/

[Statistical]

4. Democrats are always worried about hypothetical backlash on everything.

Republicans just do what they want. GOP attacks the ACA. Mitch blocks Garland. Mitch blocks 100+ federal judges for 4+ years. They not just Mitch but many other senators reverse themselves today and will confirm justice handmaid. They do what they can today to secure power. They worry about the future in the future. Who knows what the future holds. Who know what voters care about in 4 years, 8 years, 24 years. Once a territory becomes a state it can't be undone (at least not without consent of the state and even that is dubious constitutionally). Sure maybe if Democrats do it then it becomes the singular issue in 2024 or maybe just maybe other more important things come up that nobody gives a shit about it four years later.

If you are given a decisive majority and don't use because you are afraid of the future, don't worry when the Republicans inevitably are given one they ABSOLUTELY will use it to their benefit.