Inequality in Puerto Rico

The people of Puerto Rico are citizens of the United States, and Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States. Therefore, you would think, Puerto Rico gets all the benefits of being part of the U.S., just as states do.

That’s not the case.

• Medicaid  spends $2,841 per enrollee in Puerto Rico vs. $9,090 in the states.
• Puerto Rico is not included in grant distribution for highways as states are. Instead, the Island has a capped block grant — just as we do for nutrition assistance and other personal federal benefits.
• Puerto Rico also receives lower funding levels for schools, support for individuals with disabilities, special education grants, procurement contracts, and a broad range of other federal programs than it would if it were a state.

Why is Puerto Rico treated unfairly?

First, because it’s legal to do this. States have rights and responsibilities spelled out in the U.S. Constitution, but Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory belonging to the U.S., can legally be treated differently from the States. Congress doesn’t have to treat Puerto Rico equally, so they don’t.

Second, because Puerto Rico doesn’t have as strong a voice in the political process. The Resident Commissioner, Puerto Rico’s only representative in the legislature, can’t vote on bills. Puerto Ricans can’t vote for the president, either. Since the federal government represents voters, Puerto Rico just doesn’t get as much representation.

As a state, Puerto Rico will have two senators and about four Members of the House of Representatives. As a territory, Puerto Rico has just one resident commissioner who cannot vote on laws. As they say, your vote is your voice. Without voting rights, Puerto Rico has limited participation in American democracy.

If you live in the states, tell your senators and congressional representatives that you want equality for Puerto Rico. Click the sentence below, add your representatives’ handles, and tweet to Congress.

What’s the solution?

Contact your legislators, for one thing. We believe that they will listen to their voters.

Support statehood, for another. If Puerto Rico had a couple of senators and a handful of congressmen, they would be able to make changes for Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico would also have the same rights as all the other states, under the U.S. Constitution. This is the real solution to Puerto Rico’s problems.