The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources held a hearing on “the State of the Territories.” The governors of the inhabited U.S. territories were witnesses.
Testimony of Governor Gonzalez-Colon
Governor Gonzalez-Colon provided written testimony pointing out the ways that Puerto Rico has made progress since the last hearing of this kind as well as the challenges and opportunities that remain for the territory.
“In Puerto Rico, we are taking concrete steps to balance our budgets and restore fiscal responsibility,” she wrote. “We are finally rebuilding our grid and modernizing our critical infrastructure to support the delivery of essential services, spur long-term economic growth, and attract investment. We are playing a leading role revitalizing American manufacturing and industry, protecting the homeland, and safeguarding our interests in the Western Hemisphere.”
“As we approach the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence,” she concluded, “Puerto Rico stands ready to continue contributing to the nation and upholding our founding principles—this time as an equal, full-fledged member of the Union. We have been part of the United States since 1898 and proud American citizens since 1917. During that time, we have been active participants in the nation’s history, including the over 235,000 Puerto Ricans who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces since World War I to defend American democracy and values.
“Puerto Rico is ready to take the next step in our relationship with the United States. Since 2012, voters have chosen statehood in four plebiscites. As Governor, I look forward to working with Congress to respect that democratic mandate and secure equal rights, equal responsibilities, and equal representation for the 3.2 million American citizens who call Puerto Rico home.”
Discussion with Senator Wyden
Following her testimony, senators asked questions about energy issues and other points.
Sen. Ron Wyden asked about “the statehood matter.” He said “The Departments of Justice and State and the Congress have made clear again and again that the alternatives to the current unincorporated territory status under the constitution are essentially statehood, nationhood as a purely independent nation or nationhood freely associated with the United States.” He went on to say that “there are people in politics who are floating the idea of a commonwealth that isn’t governed by Congress, that can even make its own treaties but is still part of the United States.”
“What do you think about these?” he asked the governor. “I call them unconstitutional fantasies that seem to me to be a distraction, and the status question needs to stay focused on if Puerto Rico should become a state or an independent nation.”
Gozalez-Colon said firmly, “Any administration of both parties have declared that unconstitutional.” She pointed out that putting that option on a status vote ballot was unreasonable and reminded the senators that Puerto Rico had already rejected multiple times. “I believe that the only options the people of Puerto Rico have got are independence, remaining a territory, or statehood, which is the preferred option of the people of the Island….As we are celebrating the 250th anniversary of America — it is time to solve our issue.”
A hearing on Puerto Rico status
The hearing on June 17, 2026, focused on issues in all five of the inhabited U.S. territories, and brought up matters of energy, healthcare, and more for Puerto Rico.
“Yesterday’s hearing represents an important acknowledgement of the issues facing Puerto Rico, but PRSC does not believe one Senate hearing on all of the issues facing all of the country’s territories is a sufficient focus from Congress,” said George Laws García, executive director of PRSC, in a press release. “Simply put, the more than 3 million U.S. citizens of Puerto Rico deserve more than occasional discussion and temporary attention on the long-standing issues facing the island. Additionally, Puerto Rico’s status deserves its own, independent hearing for members of the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives to discuss and debate the issue that is driving most of the island’s aforementioned structural inequalities. Ultimately, Congress must recognize that the island’s future and the democratic rights of its people cannot remain an afterthought. We appreciate the Senate’s willingness to engage on these issues, but much more work remains to be done.”
The last status hearing was held in 2021. Senator Ron Wyden chaired a 2013 hearing as well. Following that hearing, he and Senator Murkowski sent a letter saying that that “enhanced commonwealth” is “not a viable option” and that it could not be included on the ballot.
Wyden’s frustration at having this issue brought up yet again was clear in the video. But, as Laws Garcia pointed out, the issue of Puerto Rico’s political status, the most important factor in the future of the Island, was not resolved in the recent Senate hearing. Puerto Rico is home to more than 90% of all residents of U.S. territories. Its population is larger than that of twenty of the current 50 states. Puerto Rico’s political status deserves a dedicated hearing in the Senate and the House. Congress has a responsibility to resolve Puerto Rico’s political status and to end the colonial relationship that is a source of shame and embarrassment to the United States.
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