Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware is the latest cosponsor for HR 1522, The Puerto Rico Statehood Admission Bill.
Blunt Rochester has been representing Delaware since 2017. She was the first African-American woman to serve as Delaware’s Secretary of Labor, and Delaware’s first African-American Deputy Secretary of Health and Social Services and State Personnel Director. She is known for her support of civil rights and climate responsibility.
Blunt Rochester supported disaster assistance for Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria, and sits on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. She founded the Congressional Future of Work Caucus and sits on the Future of Work committee. She is also a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.
Supporting statehood for Puerto Rico
As a territory, Puerto Rico has very little voice in the federal government. There is one representative of Puerto Rico in Congress, Rep. Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon. She introduced HR 1522, along with other members of Congress, but she will not be able to vote on this legislation, even though she represents the 3 million U.S. citizens living in Puerto Rico.
As a state, Puerto Rico will have two senators, as all states do. The Island will also have four Members of the House. As a territory, Puerto Rico must look to the representatives of the states for support.
We appreciate Blunt Rochester’s decision to support The Puerto Rico Statehood Admissions Act. She is on the right side of history.
Thank you, @RepLBR , for supporting HR 1522. Click To Tweet
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