Governor Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon grabbed the bull by the horns in Puerto Rico’s first legislative session of the new year, calling on legislators to respect the vote in the November status referendum.

“The people of Puerto Rico have exercised their vote, not once, not twice, on more than three occasions,” the governor said, according to the San Juan Daily Star. “Just as you were elected, respect the vote of the people in favor of statehood. We cannot choose what suits us. The same people who voted for me and voted for you also voted for statehood.”

Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz agreed. “We will defend our principles and values, protect the Puerto Rican family, and safeguard our children,” he said in a speech that focused on shared values. “We will not allow anyone to attack them. We will uphold our government program and intensify our efforts to turn Puerto Rico into a state of the union.”

Unwavering support for statehood

As Governor Gonzalez-Colon pointed out, Puerto Rico has voted for statehood four times. In every referendum held during this century, voters have chosen statehood.  Does this mean that every person in Puerto Rico favors statehood? Of course not. As former Governor Pierluisi said, “That’s not how democracy works.” The new resident commissioner does not support statehood. However, the governor is right to say that we cannot all choose what suits us. In a democracy, the majority position is the one that must prevail.

The majority of voters in Puerto Rico want statehood. Statehood offers equality and justice for Puerto Rico. As a state, Puerto Rico will have the sovereignty of a state and the rights and responsibilities of a state.

Gonzalez-Colon, a Republican, has been a staunch supporter of statehood for Puerto Rico throughout her political career. As Puerto Rico’s resident commissioner, she worked with other leaders, including Democrats, to create the Puerto Rico Status Act. This collaborative compromise bill calls for Puerto Rico to choose a permanent, noncolonial political status among statehood, independence, and independence with free association with the United States. The bill passed the House in 2022 and was under consideration in both the House and Senate in the last session of Congress. We hope to see this bill, or another Puerto Rico status bill, reintroduced in Congress this year.

 

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