Legislative Update:
Status Legislation Has Strong Bi-Partisan Support, Needs More The Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2007 (H.R. 900) was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives at the beginning of the 110th Congress in February, 2007 by Representative José Serrano (D-New York) and has enjoyed very significant bi-partisan support but additional opportunity for more House members to support the legislation remains. Corresponding legislation in the U.S. Senate (S.1936) introduced by Senator Ken Salazar (D-Colorado) is in a similar position. The House bill passed out of committee in October of last year but a full vote by the House of Representatives has yet to be scheduled. Senate Supporters of Puerto Rico Democracy Act by State | Read more... (May 27, 2008)
Council Founder Padilla Speaks Out on Federal Authority: Prosecution of Corruption Exposes Myth of Commonwealth Status Autonomy
Statehood for Puerto Rico Gets Additional Boost with Fortuno as Island's Pro-Statehood Candidate for Governor - Fortuno tops island Statehood Primary - Pierluisi Statehood Democrat Candidate for Resident Commissioner
Young Democrats of America Call for Representative Democracy for Puerto Rico
2007 Dallas Convention Enshrines 2006 Non-Territorial Position in Young Democrats platform, Statehooder Domenech elected YDA National Committeeman. Read more... (July 27, 2007)
Mainland, PR Statehood Groups Join with ACU for Roundtable Discussion
Representatives from Puerto Rico Statehood organizations and pro-statehood officials from Puerto Rico and the mainland United States, met with Mr. David A. Keene and Mr. William Lauderback, Chair and Vice Chair respectively, of the American Conservative Union (ACU) in Washington DC Friday May 3rd for a roundtable discussion of issues relating to Puerto Rico Statehood. Chairman Antonio Monroig represented the U.S. Council for Puerto Rico Statehood. Other participants included Rafael Rodriguez, founder of the July 4th, 1899 Foundation; Dr. Carlos Chardon, Secretary of the Republican Party in Puerto Rico; Rocio Velez, President of Americans for Puerto Rico Statehood, Puerto Rico State Senator Roberto Arango (San Juan - PR) and Luis Baco - Office of Rep Luis Fortuno, US House of Representatives. The ACU is the country's oldest and largest grassroots conservative lobbying organization. Mr Keene has chaired the group since 1984. Read more... (Washington DC, May 22, 2007)
110th Congress Status Legislation Update: Feb 16, 2007 Momentum Builds With More Co-Sponsors for Puerto Rico Status Legislation in the New Congress As of February 16th, 2007, twelve more members of the House have signed on as co-sponsors of the Puerto Rico status legislation, H.R. 900, The Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2007. The legislation was first introduced last year during the 109th Congress. It was re-introduced in the 110th on February 7th, 2007 by New York congressman Jose Serrano and the non-voting Puerto Rico delegate to the U.S. Congress, Luis Fortuno. These additional co-sponsors bring the number of supporters to 95; comprising 46 Republicans and 49 Democrats, indicating strong bi-partisan support. more...
110th Congress Status Legislation Update: Feb 9, 2007 Bipartisan Puerto Rico Status Legislation Re-Introduced in House of Representatives With the support of more than 60 Democrat and Republican leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives, non-voting delegate of the Puerto Rican people to the U.S. Congress, Luis Fortuno and Democrat Jose Serrano (New York) re-introduced the Puerto Rico Democracy Act to the 110th Congress on February 7th. Serrano has been a vigorous defender of the right of Puerto Ricans to self-determination in the U.S. Congress. Serrano is the highest-ranking Puerto Rican in the Democratic majority in the House of Representatives. more...
Council Response to Attacks, Smears on Florida Senator Martinez, Puerto Rico Click here for Statement (Dec. 21, 2006)
Senate Hearing: Committee on Energy & Natural Resources Click for More (Nov. 15, 2006)
Young Democrats of America Endorse Democratic Process, Non-Territorial Choices for Puerto Rico The official youth arm of the Democratic Party urges Congress to provide Puerto Rico clear options and the opportunity to democratically decide it's future; as a state, or an independent country. Click here for Press Release (Jan. 10, 2006)
President's Task Force Report on Puerto Rico's Status Click for More (Dec. 22, 2005)
A recent public opinion
survey commissioned by the Puerto Rico Herald shows
that U.S. citizens strongly support Puerto Rico’s
efforts towards political self-determination. Even
more impressive was the positive response received
concerning Puerto Rico statehood. The poll of 900
U.S. mainland registered voters was conducted in
June of this year by Opinion Dynamics of Cambridge,
Massachusetts. ...more
Puerto Rico Elections Decided—Split Decision With a Statehood
Tilt
In Puerto Rico, the
November elections produced mixed results, with PNP
Statehood Party gains in all venues—except the race for
governor. In that race, the pro-Commonwealth PNP
candidate, Anibal Acevedo Vila, won by the slimmest of
margins of approximately 3,500 votes from the nearly 2
million (1,977,541) cast, after a recount and court
cases at both Puerto Rico and federal levels that played
out until late December.
...more
