Bi-Partisan Self Determination Legislation Introduced in U.S. House of Representatives

 (Washington, DC) May 27, 2009.

Puerto Rico’s non-voting delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives, Pedro Pierluisi, introduced the Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2009 (H.R. 2499) on Tuesday May 20, 2009.  Billed by Pierluisi as the “just, impartial and democratic” way forward to free determination of status that allows Puerto Ricans to decide on an alternative to the current unenfranchised territorial status, H.R. 2499 was introduced with the support of 86 members of the U.S. House of Representatives including the Democratic Majority Leader in the House Steny Hoyer of Maryland and Republican Rep. Mike Pence of Indiana, Chair of the House Republican Conference.  Importantly, the bill is also supported by Nick Rahall (D) of West Virginia and Don Young (R) of Alaska, Chair and former Chair of the Natural Resources Committee respectively.   

The bill will require a majority of 218 votes to pass in the full House. The Senate must also vote in favor in order to send the legislation to President Obama to sign into law.  The bill would authorize an island vote on whether to keep the current territorial status with no voting congressional representatives.   If the legislation passes both the U.S. House and Senate, it will be the first time that the U.S. Congress has agreed to such a measure since Puerto Rico became a U.S. territory in 1898, some 111 years ago, half the life of the U.S. Republic since the U.S. Constitution came into effect.

Two Part Process Proposed for Puerto Ricans to Determine Their Future

The long anticipated legislation proposes a two-part process whereby an island plebiscite would be authorized to take place for Puerto Rico voters to choose whether they wish to keep or change the current unenfranchised territorial status. If voters choose to change the current territorial status, a second plebiscite would take place where voters would choose from among the sovereignty-granting options that are constitutionally valid and outside the Territorial Clause of the United States Constitution: independence, statehood or independence in free association. 

The U.S. Congress has never consulted with the Puerto Rican electorate since taking possession of the island on whether it wants to maintain the current territorial status or choose a sovereign alternative. The current status in Puerto Rico does not allow voting representation for Puerto Ricans in Congress.  Opponents of equality and statehood have continued to publicly suggest that an alternative to the current status exists, other than independence, sovereignty in free association or statehood. The proponents of the so-called “Enhanced Commonwealth” propose a “new” way forward that includes guaranteed U.S. citizenship and preferential tax policy for the island, and simultaneously allows the island government to conduct its own foreign policy.  In the decades since this idea or notion was first suggested, no alternative has been offered that is acceptable under the constitution or by Congress that would also render Puerto Ricans sovereign and enfranchised within the United States.

Pierluisi was joined at the podium for the announcement by Alan Grayson (D) of Florida, Loretta Sanchez (D) of California, Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R) of Florida and Patrick Kennedy (D) of Rhode Island, longstanding Puerto Rico equality advocates. 

“I support this project with pride, because I think it is unjust that the residents of Puerto Rico are United States citizens but do not have representation with the right to vote in Congress and are not permitted to vote for President”, said Sanchez.

Self-Determination Integral to Campaign Platform

In a statement to the press Puerto Rico Governor Luis Fortuno called the legislation, “just and balanced” noting that the legislation is integral to the platform upon which he and Pierluisi were elected.  The advancement and resolution of the issue of Puerto Rico’s unenfranchised territorial status was a key component of their political party platform during the island-wide election campaign in 2008. Both Fortuno and Pierluisi are members of the political party in Puerto Rico that advocates Statehood for Puerto Rico, the New Progressive Party which boasts both Democrats and Republicans as its members. 

Fortuno, who served as non-voting delegate for Puerto Rico in the U.S. Congress before his election as Governor caucused with the Republican party. Pierluisi, a Democrat was elected to replace Fortuno. Both were elected in a landslide electoral victory in November 2009. In addition to their elections as Statehood for Puerto Rico candidates, Statehood for Puerto Rico majorities exist in both the island’s Senate and House of Representatives and a majority of the 78 municipal governments.  

To urge your congressional representatives to support H.R. 2499 and Self-Determination for Puerto Rico call Congress at (202) 224-3121. To identify your congressional representatives visit the Council’s webpages at http://www.prstatehood.org/what-you-can-do/contacts.asp