The US Natural Resources Committee has moved to bring a bill regarding Puerto Rico Statehood, HR 2499, to the house floor. HR 2499 isn’t really a vote for Puerto Rico statehood but does 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 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. In 1900, the Foraker Act created a civilian government, separate judicial system and nonvoting member of the United States congress. All Puerto Rican citizens became US citizens in the year 1917. Puerto Rico was officially made a commonwealth in 1947 – not quite Puerto Rico statehood but not an independent nation. Residents of Puerto Rico instead are U.S. Citizens without voting representation in Congress or the necessity of giving instant cash to the IRS.
HR 2499: A vote on Puerto Rico statehood
Puerto Rico statehood has to be voted on by a national vote because of the HR bill in the House of Representatives as a fourth plebiscite. The other plebiscites have not come out very strong for or against statehood for Puerto Rico. The pro-statehood and pro-commonwealth parties in Puerto Rico have equal support, and also the pro-independence party has only 5 percent support. HR 2499 would be the first congressionally-sanctioned plebiscite about Puerto Rico statehood.
Vote for Puerto Rico statehood
Two votes would occur if HR 2499 passed, which is the bill raising questions about Puerto Rico statehood. First, a vote will be held on the question “Should Puerto Rico maintain its present political status.”. If the majority of votes are “no” on that question, a second vote would be held. The second vote would offer 3 different options:
* Independence meaning that all ties between the US And Puerto Rico are broken making a separate nation
* Associated Sovereignty – eliminates the U.S. citizenship and Territorial Clause controls of Puerto Rico, but maintains ties with the United States
* Puerto Rico Statehood which would make Puerto Rico a 51st state of the US, with two US senators, eight presidential electoral votes, and six congressmen.
There are numerous good arguments both for and against Puerto Rico statehood. Some say Puerto Rico statehood would offer equal representation to a group of individuals who are subject to federal laws. However, others 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?
Sources
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
