The Politics of DC Statehood, How Africa Can Come Back Stronger, and More

June 26, 2020

Today, for the first time since 1993, the U.S. House of Representatives will take the rare step of holding a vote on statehood for Washington, D.C. John Hudak explains what the new bill would do and examines the politics surrounding D.C. statehood.

"The short-term shock of the pandemic and its economic fallout will have a significant impact across Africa. But the continent has a newfound resilience and will come back stronger, especially if African governments seize the current opportunity for effective leadership," Landry Signé writes.

In the United States, predominantly Black counties have COVID-19 infection rates that are nearly three times higher than that of predominantly white counties. Despite this, African Americans are exhibiting higher levels of hope and resilience than whites. New research from Carol Graham, Yung Chun, Michal Grinstein-Weiss, and Stephen Roll sheds light on differences in well-being and mental health amid COVID-19.

A note on the Brookings response to COVID-19:

The Brookings Institution campus in Washington, D.C. will be closed through at least September 7. For more information, read our full guidance here. As Brookings experts continue to assess the global impacts of COVID-19, read the latest analysis and policy recommendations at our coronavirus page or stay up to date with our coronavirus newsletter.

The conclusions and recommendations of any Brookings publication are solely those of its author(s), and do not reflect the views of the Institution, its management, or its other scholars.

Manage your newsletter preferences | Receive the Brookings Brief less often