Use the passage to answer the question.

Question

The residents of Washington, DC are pay the highest per capita federal taxes in the entire United States. Yet, they are not allowed voting representation in the U.S. Congress. Taxation without representation is wrong—in fact, it was the main issue that led the American colonies to fight for their independence. Washington, DC should receive statehood and the same representation as any other state.
A student is developing a counterclaim to this argument. Which evidence would be most helpful in developing a fair and effective counterclaim?

(1 point)
Responses

In a recent national poll, nearly 80 percent of one major party's voters said that they would not support making Washington, DC a state.
In a recent national poll, nearly 80 percent of one major party's voters said that they would not support making Washington, DC a state.

Residents of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, and other U.S. territories are not allowed voting representation in the U.S. Congress either.
Residents of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, and other U.S. territories are not allowed voting representation in the U.S. Congress either.

The Twenty-Third Amendment to the U.S. Constitution granted Washington, DC residents the right to vote in all presidential elections and the electoral college.
The Twenty-Third Amendment to the U.S. Constitution granted Washington, DC residents the right to vote in all presidential elections and the electoral college.

As the capital of the United States, Washington, DC was never meant to be a state because the founding fathers feared its people would have too much influence.

Answer 1

The most helpful evidence in developing a fair and effective counterclaim would be:

As the capital of the United States, Washington, DC was never meant to be a state because the founding fathers feared its people would have too much influence.

This evidence directly addresses the argument for DC statehood by suggesting a foundational intent regarding its status as the nation's capital and the potential implications of statehood on political influence, thereby providing a clear counterpoint to the argument for representation and equality.