El Nuevo Dia reports that the long-running Puerto Rico status debate is still alive in Washington, with the possibility of new status legislation in Congress this year.
Republican bills
Rep. Tom McClintock is an independence supporter, and there have been rumors that he is planning to introduce a bill calling for independence for Puerto Rico.
In a reaction to the rumors, McClintock said on social media that he thinks there should be more of a conversation on the subject, and that he will only support a status change for the territory if there is “a strong consensus” among both residents of Puerto Rico and Congress.
El Nuevo Dia does not have any updates from McClintock, but looks to him as an example showing that there may still be legislation this term.
Governor Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon, another Republican, has also met with Rep. Don Bacon to discuss possibilities. Gonzalez-Colon was one of the authors of the Puerto Rico Statehood Act, and introduced it alongside Democrat Rep. Darren Soto during her terms representing Puerto Rico in Congress.
Democratic bills
Democrats in Congress also have thoughts on the question. Rep. Darren Soto has suggested that he may introduce new legislation to provide a permanent political status for Puerto Rico. In response, Rep. Pablo José Hernández, resident commissioner of Puerto Rico and a Democrat, said that he would “react strongly” if the “commonwealth” option were not on the ballot of any such bill.
Soto, according to El Nuevo Dia, expressed willingness to include “commonwealth” in a status bill. The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the United States. Previous status ballots have sometimes made it clear that a vote for “commonwealth” is a vote for the status quo: remaining a territory. Earlier ballots have included various definitions of “commonwealth” that were at odds with the current territorial status and with one another — as well as being impossible under the U.S. Constitution. The most recent status votes have included only the non-territorial, permanent options which are viable under the Constitution.
Rep. Lydia Velazquez told El Nuevo Dia that she is opposed to including “commonwealth,” saying that “it is nonsense” to do so.
Getting ready for status legislation
When status legislation of any kind is introduced in Congress, it’s essential to line up co-sponsors and supporters for the bill. Get your representatives ready to consider this legislation by making sure they understand the issues. They need to know that their constituents care about this issue, because they have a lot on their plates. They can only pay attention to a limited number of things, and Puerto Rico’s political status may not be on their minds yet. You can help get it on their minds. Contact your legislators today.
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