The House has set a date of July 24 for a hearing on statehood for Washington, D.C., the first in 26 years.

"JUST IN: We’ve announced the first hearing on #DCstatehood (HR 51) in the House in 26 years: July 24th!" Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton Eleanor Holmes NortonShakespeare Theatre Company goes virtual for 'Will on the Hill...or Won't They?' DeJoy defends Postal Service changes at combative House hearing DC delegate highlights effects of Postal Service quagmire on community MORE (D-D.C.) tweeted Thursday.

"This is a monumental step forward for equality and self-government for DC."

JUST IN: We’ve announced the first hearing on #DCstatehood (HR 51) in the House in 26 years: July 24th!



This is a monumental step forward for equality and self-government for DC. #FreeAndEqualDC pic.twitter.com/g78pR9fTuu — Eleanor Holmes Norton (@EleanorNorton) May 30, 2019

Norton has introduced D.C. statehood bills several times.

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This year's legislation, put forward in January, has gained more support than in years past, with a record-high 205 co-sponsors.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer Steny Hamilton HoyerOVERNIGHT ENERGY: California seeks to sell only electric cars by 2035 | EPA threatens to close New York City office after Trump threats to 'anarchist' cities | House energy package sparks criticism from left and right House energy package sparks criticism from left and right Hoyer: House should vote on COVID-19 aid — with or without a bipartisan deal MORE (D-Md.) earlier Thursday announced he would be co-sponsoring H.R. 51.

Republicans have consistently opposed making the nation's capital the 51st state, largely because of the high percentage of registered Democrats in the city.