New Cosponsors for HR8393

HR8393, The Puerto Rico Status Act, now has 62 cosponsors. This includes 14 new cosponsors who signed on this week.

1. Rep. Raskin, Jamie
2. Rep. Payne, Donald M., Jr.
3. Rep. Carter, Troy
4. Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R.
5. Rep. Nadler, Jerrold
6. Rep. Kelly, Robin L.
7. Rep. Kaptur, Marcy
8. Rep. Lieu, Ted
9. Rep. Torres, Norma J.
10. Rep. Wilson, Frederica
11. Rep. Jackson Lee, Sheila
12. Rep. Green, Al
13. Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay
14. Rep. Moulton, Seth

All 14 are Democrats. They represent 10 different states, from New Jersey to Texas.

Notable supporters

Some of these representatives, like Jamie Raskin, have been long-time supporters of Puerto Rico. Seth Moulton was part of the Massachusetts delegation to Puerto Rico in 2018. Frederica Wilson has been active in supporting healthcare in Puerto Rico. Ted Lieu has worked to promote renewable energy in Puerto Rico. Sheila Jackson Lee visited the Island in September as part of a Homeland Security review.

Click below to tweet a thank you to this group of Congressional representatives!

Is this a sign?

Does the new crop of cosponsors suggest that the House will vote on HR8393 this year?

There are a lot of items that are high priority for someone that may still come up during the “lame duck” session. That lame duck session is the time between the midterm elections and the close of Congress. Congress must pass a budget bill to keep the government open, and  must also pass the National Defense Authorization Act, which funds national defense.

The House is currently under Democratic control, but is expected to go to Republican control in January. That means that Democrats may feel that they must vote on issues like same-sex marriage and the Electoral Count Act.

We need Congress to recognize that Puerto Rico’s status is also important, but there are many, many other bills waiting their turn. Public opinion is one of the factors that helps determine which issues have the highest priority and are thus most likely to come to a floor vote.

Please reach out to your congressional reps, especially if you live in a state. Puerto Rico has no voting members of Congress and must rely on the congressional reps from the states to make decisions for her. Your congressperson will listen to you…but maybe not to a resident of Puerto Rico. Your voice amplifies our voices.