Puerto Rico Statehood Bill HR 2499 Passes The House
Friday, April 30th, 2010Puerto Rico Statehood Bill HR 2499 Passes The House
The House of Representatives on Thursday approved 223 to 169 legislation that would allow Puerto Rico to become a state, if residents approve at the ballot box.
H.R. 2499, the Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2009 introduced last October, provides for making the decision in a two-phase vote. In the first phase, voters would have “the option to vote to continue Puerto Rico’s present political status” as a self-governing commonwealth or to change, according to language in the bill.
If they vote to change their status, they would hold a second vote to decide on either statehood or independence.
The bill’s sponsors and backers say that it gives residents in Puerto Rico more options to choose their path, even if they wanted to become a separate nation. If Puerto Rican residents voted for statehood, their vote would still have to be approved by Congress.
Both House Democrats and Republicans alike voted for the bill. Votes in favor came from across the political spectrum, including such figures as Rep. Kucinich (D-Ohio) and Republican House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.).
The bill was introduced to the floor by Rep. Pedro Pierluisi, a Democrat from Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico currently elects one representative to Congress who has a voice, but no vote, except in committees. American Samoa, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands are similarly represented in the House.
Puerto Rico’s Republican Governor Governor Luis Fortuño as well as many top officials in the commonwealth strongly support Puerto Rican self-determination.
“For 112 years, we haven’t had the chance … to fully participate in one way or another in the decisions that affect our daily lives,” Fortuño told The Associated Press.
Supporters say that Puerto Ricans should have the right to vote in the general election for president, as well as to elect their own senators.
Opponents of the bill said the bill is slanted in favor of Puerto Rico being a state over independence. They also say that if the commonwealth becomes a state, it would cost too much and it could possibly cause an imbalance in the House of Representatives. Opponents say that more chairs in the House would be needed if Puerto Rico gained statehood.
Congressman John Culbertson (R-Texas) said the vote undermines majority rule.
“Unfortunately it has come to my attention that the bill before us today undermines the principle of majority rule by allowing a plurality vote to determine the outcome,” said Rep. Culberson. “It has also come to my attention that Puerto Rico already has the authority under current law to conduct a plebiscite.”
The bill moves to the Senate for debate next.
