Florida Congressman Darren Soto (D) and the House Natural Resources Committee announced the passing of H.R. 8393, or the Puerto Rico Status Act.
The Puerto Rico Status Act outlines the transition and implementation of a non-territorial status for the island, whether it be statehood, Independence, or Sovereignty in Free Association with the United States, as chosen by a majority of voters in Puerto Rico.
“I support PR statehood. In 2022, I helped lead the charge to pass the historic PR Status Act out of the House. This was the first time a binding status bill passed either chamber in US history. I plan to support a bill that protects the right to vote for statehood,” Soto shared on X.
The Congressman, however, pointed out how this push for Puerto Rican statehood wouldn’t come very soon as Republican lawmakers oppose the idea, but he assured that “Next Congress, when the Democrats take over the House, we will have a real shot to pass another PR Status bill.”
Soto explains his reasoning for supporting PR statehood, recognizing how maintaining the fragile balance of the island’s territory status is unsustainable, especially given how Puerto Rican citizens “pledge allegiance to our flag, pay certain federal taxes already, and have served in our military all that time.”
Key highlights of the Puerto Rico Status Act include:
- Authorizing a federally sponsored plebiscite to resolve Puerto Rico's political status.
- Specifies and defines Puerto Rico's non-territorial status options: Independence, Sovereignty in Free Association with the United States, and Statehood.
- Provides for an objective, nonpartisan, federally funded voter education campaign leading up to the vote.
- Establishes a process and timeline for the U.S. Department of Justice to review the plebiscite voter education materials and plebiscite ballot design.
- Authorizes necessary funds to carry out an initial plebiscite and, if required, a runoff plebiscite.
- Describes the transition to and implementation of each status option in sufficient detail for eligible voters in Puerto Rico to make an informed choice about Puerto Rico's future political status.
- Ensures the result of the plebiscite is binding and implements the option that is chosen by a majority of eligible voters in Puerto Rico.
