The Puerto Rico territorial legislature passed a bill “To commemorate the Semiquincentennial of the United States of America and request from the President and Congress of the United States the admission of Puerto Rico as a State of the Union; to require that a copy of this Joint Resolution be transmitted to the President and Congress of the United States of America; and for other related purposes.”
The Senate approved the House’s Joint Resolution on August 31, citing the four statehood majority votes in 2012, 2017, 2020, and 2024. Governor Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon signed it into law on October 16, 2026. “This is an official demand by the government,” she explained. “This is an official demand for recognition that the people of Puerto Rico have already voted for statehood.”
She emphasized that she will pursue the effort to gain admission, regardless of the results of the midterm elections.
Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández Rivera, who supports the discredited “commonwealth” scheme, questioned the current administration’s priorities. While he has never shied away from arguing in favor of the “enhanced commonwealth,” he also continues to claim that he is not focusing on status. Instead, he says, the government should focus more on electricity and water than status.
González-Colón corrected him, pointing out that territorial status is the cause of Puerto Rico’s crises with electricity and water.
Next steps
Alaska and Hawaii, the most recently admitted states, both made a demand such as Puerto Rico has now made. Puerto Rico, if following the same process as these two former territories, will receive an admissions act from Congress spelling out the terms for admission. Both Alaska and Hawaii had votes of the residents on whether to accept the terms offered. Puerto Rico would be likely to do the same.
Puerto Rico would then be admitted as a state, on an equal footing with the current 50 states. While many people believe that states must be admitted in pairs or that the current states must ratify the admission of a new state, these steps are not required. Once Congress votes to admit Puerto Rico, the president signs the law and makes the proclamation. All that’s left at that point is to celebrate the admission of the 51st state: Puerto Rico.
Recognition of PR51st
During the signing ceremony, Governor González Colón recognized PR51st Executive Director George Laws García on behalf of the civil society and grassroots organizations advocating for statehood.
This recognition belongs to our entire PR51st network, the advocates, volunteers, and grassroots leaders whose dedication and tireless efforts continue to move Puerto Rico closer to statehood and full equality.
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