The territorial government of Puerto Rico has passed a historic resolution officially requesting statehood from the U.S. Congress. Download the statehood resolution and read it, in Spanish or English, by clicking on the link below:
What does the statehood resolution say?
Puerto Rico deserves statehood
The resolution begins with the basic facts: “On July 4, 2026, the United States of America commemorated the 250th anniversary of its Declaration of Independence—the founding document of our Nation’s commitment to government by the consent of the governed and the belief that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, and that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. Puerto Ricans have been citizens of the United States since 1917 and have continuously contributed to the economic, military, cultural, and civic life of our Nation.”
In succeeding paragraphs, it points out the many ways in which Puerto Ricans participate in and support the life of the United States as a whole. “Puerto Ricans have been citizens of the United States since 1917 and have continuously contributed to the economic, military, cultural, and civic life of our Nation.”
While the contributions of Puerto Ricans in the arts, sciences, public service, commerce, and academic fields have enriched the United States throughout our nation’s history, the resolution emphasizes the fact that “generations of Puerto Ricans have demonstrated their patriotism through
distinguished service and sacrifice in the United States Armed Forces, earning our Nation’s highest military honors and recognitions—even though U.S. citizens residing in Puerto Rico cannot vote for the Commander-in-Chief under whom they serve.”
Puerto Rico needs statehood
This lack of the ability to vote for the President of the United States, as well as the lack of senators or voting members of Congress, is key to the need for statehood, the resolution points out the most basic concern.
“More than three million U.S. citizens reside in Puerto Rico under a territorial status subject to the plenary authority of Congress under Article IV,
Section 3, Clause 2 of the United States Constitution, and Congress possesses the authority under Article IV, Section 3, Clause 1 to admit new states to the Union,” it says, referencing the control Congress has over territories. “The United States Supreme Court has repeatedly recognized that Puerto Rico remains a territory subject to the Territorial Clause of the Constitution, and that any permanent change to Puerto Rico’s political status requires action by Congress.”
In other words, the colonial relationship between the United States and Puerto Rico — a clear failure of our national commitment to government with consent of the governed — cannot be corrected without action by Congress. Without that action, Puerto Rico continues to be in a subordinate and unequal position.
Puerto Rico wants statehood
“The people of Puerto Rico have repeatedly exercised their right to determine their political future through plebiscites and have expressed a preference for Puerto Rico to become a State of the Union. In a plebiscite held on November 6, 2012, 53.97 percent of participating voters rejected the continuation of the existing territorial status,” the resolution reminds Congress. This clearly shows that Puerto Rico is being governed without the consent of the governed.
“In the plebiscite held on November 5, 2024, statehood received 58.61 percent of the legal votes cast among the status options presented to the electorate,” the document continues. “In all plebiscites held over the last decades—including those in 2012, 2017, 2020, and 2024—statehood received a majority of the legal votes cast among the status options presented to the electorate.” This clearly shows that calls for self-determination no longer make sense. Puerto Rico has already used multiple acts of democratic self-determination to determine that statehood is the preferred status option for the majority of Puerto Ricans living on the Island.
Now is the time for Congress to take action. Let your legislators know that you want to see them on the right side of history. Congress must admit Puerto Rico as the 51st state of the Union. Statehood Resolution
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