The next time there is a federal Democratic governing trifecta, we need to immediately make the structural reforms necessary to sustainably ensure fair, representative elections moving forward. Minority rule cannot stand. The most critical reforms are to ban gerrymandering, expand the Supreme Court, and admit new states.
Suggestion:
Democrats should campaign to admit 5 new states, for reasons moral, political and practical—as one part of a larger anti-corruption, pro-democracy, pro-equality reform platform. Both the campaign itself and the follow-through will be critical. While Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico are the most often discussed statehood candidates, there is no reason to exclude the other 4 territories from the agenda on the same grounds. This would be a boost in representation of marginalized, underrepresented groups who deserve to have more seats at the U.S. policymaking table.
Guam/Northern Mariana Islands (which would likely be combined as 1 state) and American Samoa are overwhelmingly Pacific Islander & Asian American. The U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia are overwhelmingly Black & Hispanic/Latino. These groups are grossly underrepresented in the U.S. Senate (and to a lesser extent, the U.S. House). Geographically speaking, island populations also deserve this larger role in the policymaking of the world’s largest economy and 3rd most populous country, considering their unique circumstances within the climate crisis that they are not responsible for.
Also see: Puerto Rico