Puerto Rico’s voters have chosen statehood in all four status votes that have been held during this century. George Laws Garcia of the Puerto Rico Statehood Council says in this video that the most recent vote in 2024 gives Congress the opportunity to offer statehood — and other constitutionally viable non-territorial political status options — to Puerto Rico.
So why hasn’t Congress taken the opportunity?
The history of Congress and Puerto Rico
Congress has had 127 years to settle the political status of Puerto Rico. Clearly, this has not been a priority for Congress.
There have been many bills proposing statehood for Puerto Rico, and even a few proposing independence for the territory. In 1975, there was one intended to “confirm” the non-existent Compact between Puerto Rico and the United States creating the “enhanced commonwealth.” Here is a little bit of that law:
“Approves the compact of permanent union between Puerto Rico and the United States. Accords to Puerto Rico the right of self-government and jurisdiction over the population, territorial seas, and Island of Puerto Rico, as well as jurisdiction over the adjacent population, territorial seas, and islands. Gives the U.S. responsibility for and authority with respect to international relations and defense affecting Puerto Rico. Permits Puerto Rico to enter into specified categories of agreements with other countries consistent with the functions of the U.S. as determined by the President and the Governor of the Free Associated State of Puerto Rico on a case-by-case basis. States that all persons born in Puerto Rico are citizens of the U.S. … Directs that Puerto Rico be represented by one elected representative in each House of Congress. Provides that U.S. laws, present and past, be given full effect. Allows, prior to passage of any legislation affecting Puerto Rico, the Governor to submit to Congress objections to its applicability. Exempts Puerto Rico from the provisions of such legislation if the respective Congressional committee or committees by vote express agreement with the objections…”
Clearly, this does not describe the real-world relationship of the United States and Puerto Rico. The law did not pass.
Let’s keep looking back from that point:
- The Congress of 1959 and 1960 considered eight bills in total, including bills for statehood and independence as well as more of the “enhanced commonwealth” bills. Congress did not take action on any of them.
- In 1934, there was a bill proposing statehood. The 1935-1936 Congress considered two more bills for statehood and two for independence. From 1939 to 1940, there were six bills favoring statehood, including one asking for increased home rule while waiting for statehood. We can conclude that the 1930s was a lively time for discussion of Puerto Rico’s political status, but none of the bills became law.
- There was one in 1919 “Providing for an advisory referendum by the people of Porto Rico as to the form of government they desire.” Puerto Rico was settling into its territory status at the time. Puerto Rico is still a territory belonging to the United States.
We could go on, but the point is clear. Congress has considered more than 150 bills on Puerto Rico’s political status, but Puerto Rico is still a territory.
Will the current Congress be different?
The current Congress passed their first public law on March 20. They are not in a hurry to make laws. About half of the ones they have passed are laws naming federal buildings. The president has signed a total of five laws at this point, the smallest number in 70 years. And things are lively in Washington. Puerto Rico may not be top of mind for many of the legislators. This is one of the big problems of territory status: the legislators do not include any voting members from Puerto Rico. As they consider how the current political climate will affect the people who vote for them, they may not have the attention span to think about Puerto Rico.
When Puerto Rico is a state, there will be two Senators from Puerto Rico, just as there are two senators from each of the current 50 states. There will also be about four Members of the House, all of whom will be able to vote on laws.
In the meantime, we must remind the legislature that Puerto Rico is part of the United States, and home to more than three million U.S. citizens. The current federal administration wants to expand the United States, and is concerned about national security. Manufacturing is a priority in Washington these days, and so is healthcare — both of which are strong suits for Puerto Rico. The current territorial administration is in alignment with those goals. We believe that this is a good time, politically, to push the issue of statehood for Puerto Rico.
Join us! Reach out to your representatives if you live in a state. Your voice can help Puerto Rico, since you have the representation that we do not.
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