December 16th marked an important anniversary in Congress. On this day in 2022, the House of Representatives approved the Puerto Rico Status Act, a legislation proposing to provide the voters of Puerto Rico with the chance to alter the island’s current relationship with the U.S. as a territory into a lasting, democratic arrangement. The distinct Puerto Rico-U.S. relationship is commonly referred to as Puerto Rico’s “political status.”
The Fundamentals: Puerto Rico is a U.S. Territory
Puerto Rico is a non-incorporated territory of the United States. Throughout the years, there has been uncertainty regarding the territory’s exact political status, but Puerto Rico’s territorial standing has remained unchanged for over a century.
The federal government has clarified that Puerto Rico can either stay as a territory, become a state, or evolve into an independent nation with or without a Compact of Free Association (COFA). There are no alternative status choices available under the U.S. Constitution.
The Puerto Rico Status Act
The Puerto Rico Status Act is a piece of legislation forged between Puerto Rican leaders and Members of Congress. It would present the voters of Puerto Rico with a selection between the two non-territorial status alternatives allowed under U.S. and international law: statehood and independence (with or without a COFA). Should Congress enact the bill, it would serve as an agreement to realize the option chosen by the voters. The populace of Puerto Rico would cast their votes, and Puerto Rico would shift to a more democratic format, ceasing to be a U.S. territory.
The House of Representatives passed the bill in 2022. Nonetheless, Congress recessed without the U.S. Senate having a corresponding vote. Both the House and Senate must approve a bill before it can reach the president and be enacted into law.
The Conclusion
Despite the bill being approved by the House, thereby bringing Puerto Rico closer to addressing its undemocratic political status and potentially becoming either a state or an independent nation, the initiative did not become law. A new Congress convened the following month, January 2023. The Puerto Rico Status Act was swiftly reintroduced and gained significant backing: 101 cosponsors in the House of Representatives and 26 cosponsors on a related bill in the Senate. However, the current Congress is set to adjourn soon, and if the bill is to progress further, it will need to be reintroduced in Congress again when the 119th Congress concludes in January 2025.
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