Florida Rep. Darren Soto (D) has been spearheading the initiative to have Puerto Rico gain its statehood. In speaking on H.R. 1522, the legislation would grant the people of Puerto Rico the opportunity to vote on whether or not they would like to remain independent or become the 51st state in the United States.
Earlier this year, Soto cited the November election as a clear indication that Puerto Rico’s “destiny lies with the statement,” so the Florida lawmaker wants to make sure that the people of Puerto Rico have a voice because it should ultimately "be about the vote."
As we discuss Puerto Rico's future status, I ask my colleagues: let the people vote, let the will of the majority prevail and let democracy run its course.
H.R. 1522 creates a binding process to confirm what Americans in Puerto Rico have already voted for: #PRStatehood. pic.twitter.com/kChBpQsg4a
— Rep. Darren Soto (@RepDarrenSoto) April 14, 2021
On Twitter, Soto made the call to his colleagues, asking them to “let the people vote, the will of the majority prevail and let democracy run its course.” With H.R. 1522, he explains that it will avoid having the issue “be about personalities or alliances.” For him, “it should be about the vote.”
As the Florida lawmaker has mentioned numerous times, the People of Puerto Rico voted in the November election in favor of statehood. Calling their vote “self-determination,” Soto expressed that “ignoring the will of voters only perpetuates 120 years of injustice.”
Last November, Puerto Ricans voted for #PRStatehood. This is self-determination. Ignoring the will of voters only perpetuates 120 years of injustice.
— Rep. Darren Soto (@RepDarrenSoto) April 14, 2021
Earlier this year, Soto detailed why this vote is important for Puerto Rico, explaining that “our quest for statehood is about respecting democracy and equality in Puerto Rico.”
The initiative has also gained bipartisan attention with Senator Marco Rubio (R) calling on members of the Senate to keep an “open mind” on statehood.
“Our fellow American citizens in Puerto Rico have democratically expressed their support for becoming a state,” said the Florida Senator, calling on his “Senate colleagues to keep an open mind and learn more about statehood before taking a firm position in opposition.”
