“In a memo on DC statehood, House Minority Whip Steve Scalise argues against it based on DC’s crime rate, claiming the district ‘can’t perform basic governmental duties like protecting its residents from criminals’… Scalise also argues the district is ‘not ready for statehood’ because it ‘relies heavily on Congress to ensure its financial solvency, and local leaders are not ready for Congress to rescind funding for local projects and initiatives'” reports Forbes’ Andrew Solender.