Recognizing the service of all District of Columbia veterans, condemning the denial of voting representation in Congress and full local self-government for veterans and their families who are District of Columbia residents, and calling for statehood for the District of Columbia through the enactment of the Washington, D.C. Admission Act (H.R. 51 and S. 51), particularly in light of the service of District of Columbia veterans in every American war.

HRES 871 is a non-binding House resolution recognizing District of Columbia veterans' military service in all U.S. wars and condemning the District's lack of voting representation in Congress and full local self-government. It specifically calls for statehood for Washington, D.C., by urging the enactment of the D.C. Admission Act (H.R. 51/S. 51), which would grant the District full voting rights in Congress and self-governance. The resolution highlights that approximately 30,000 DC veterans serve without voting representation and cites historical casualty figures exceeding those of several states. It does not change laws but formally advocates for statehood through the existing D.C. Admission Act legislation.