The US Natural Resources Committee has moved to bring a bill regarding Puerto Rico Statehood, HR 2499, to the house floor. Despite the fact that HR 2499 doesn’t link directly to Puerto Rico statehood, it doesn’t require a vote to be taken. Statehood is one of the possible outcomes of this vote. So why is it such a contentious issue for Puerto Rico statehood? Questions of representation, tax debt, and autonomy are the things it has to do with.
Puerto Rico Statehood history
The history of the question of Puerto Rico statehood goes back numerous years. Even though Puerto Rico was first colonized by the Spanish, it became a United States colony in 1898 during the Spanish-American war. The Foraker Act created a civilian government, separate judicial system and nonvoting member of the United States congress in 1900. In 1917, all Puerto Ricans became U.S. citizens. Puerto Rico was officially made a commonwealth in 1947 – not quite Puerto Rico statehood but not an independent nation. Instead, residents of Puerto Rico are U.S. Citizens without voting representation in Congress or the necessity of giving instant cash to the IRS.
A vote on Puerto Rico statehood: HR 2499
HR 2499 is a bill in the House of Representatives that calls for the fourth plebiscite – national vote – concerning potential Puerto Rico statehood. The other three plebiscites held have not come out strongly for or against Puerto Rico statehood. The pro-statehood and pro-commonwealth parties in Puerto Rico have about equal support, and the pro-independence party has about 5 percent support. HR 2499 would likely create the first congressionally-sanctioned plebiscite about the statehood of Puerto Rico.
Vote for Puerto Rico statehood
Two votes would occur if HR 2499 passed, which is the bill raising questions about Puerto Rico statehood. A vote held on the question first “Should Puerto Rico maintain its present political status.”. If most votes are no on the question, then a second vote would be held. The second vote on Puerto Rico statehood would really offer three opportunities:
* Independence which means that a separate nation can be made by breaking ties between US and Puerto Rico
* Associated Sovereignty – eliminates the U.S. citizenship and Territorial Clause controls of Puerto Rico, but maintains ties with the United States
* Puerto Rico Statehood – makes Puerto Rico the 51st state of the United States, with six congressmen, two U.S. senators and eight presidential electoral votes.
There are good arguments for and against the statehood of Puerto Rico. Some say Puerto Rico statehood would offer equal representation to a group of individuals who are subject to federal laws. Other individuals argue that Puerto Rico statehood would break up the unique and balanced system that has developed over the last 50 years. What do you think?
Resources
HR2499.org
http://www.hr2499.org/
PR Statehood.com
http://www.prstatehood.com/news/HR2499CommitteePassage_0809.asp
No Puerto Rico Statehood.com
http://www.nopuertoricostatehood.com/
Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_Rico#Commonwealth
