Washington, DC voters approve measure to pursue statehood

On Tuesday, Washington, D.C. voters overwhelmingly approved a measure to pursue statehood.

If the endeavor is successful, the area would become the nation's 51st state and adopt the name New Columbia, reports NPR.

The next step in the process is to submit a petition to Congress.

Unfortunately, getting its approval is now looking like more of a long shot.

According to the Washington Post, Republicans, who will soon have control of both the House and the Senate, have long opposed the prospect as it could lessen their chances of declaring the majority.

While Washington, D.C. does not have voting representation in Congress, the state of New Columbia would.

The area's population is rather heavy on Democrats, so the odds are high that, as a state, it would vote for its senators and representative accordingly.