Members of Congress Advocate for Puerto Rico Statehood
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March 3, 2022
Washington, D.C., A bipartisan group of Members of Congress, led by Puerto Rico's sole representative in Congress, Jenniffer González-Colón, spoke on the House Floor in favor of Puerto Rico's admission as a State of the Union, voters on the island have asked for in the last three status plebiscites.
During the Special Order, Congresswoman Jenniffer González-Colón (R-PR) was joined by Representatives Darren Soto (D-FL), María Elvira Salazar (R-FL), Susan Wild (D-PA), Val Demings (D-FL), and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D -FL). The Governor of Puerto Rico, Pedro Pierluisi, a former member of Congress, also joined them at the Floor.
The Special Order concluded this week's agenda in Washington, D.C. to commemorate the 105th anniversary of Puerto Ricans receiving U.S. Citizenship.
The activities included visits to congressional offices by dozens of statehood supporters from Arkansas; Washington, DC; Florida; Georgia; Maryland; North Carolina; New Jersey; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; Texas; Virginia; Kentucky; New York; and Puerto Rico. They were joined by members of the Shadow Delegation, members of the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico, and the Governor.
The groups advocated for H.R.1522, sponsored by Rep González-Colón and Rep. Soto. The Puerto Rico Statehood Admission Act has 80 bipartisan co-sponsors. It establishes a clear process to enable the Island's admission into the Union, should it be ratified by Puerto Rico voters in a federally sponsored, yes-or-no referendum. It is the status bill with the most co-sponsors in Congress and the only one to have garnered bipartisan support in the House. Additionally, it has no constitutional flaws according to the U.S. Department of Justice and it is truly democratic, leaving the resolution of the territorial status in the hands of the voters of Puerto Rico.
González Colón opened the Special Order by saying "for 105 years, Puerto Ricans have been proud American citizens. We've contributed greatly to this country, excelling in every field of endeavor in the United States. We've proudly upheld and defended the ideals that define our nation, including the over 235,000 Puerto Ricans who have honorably served in the U.S. Armed Forces, fighting side-by-side with our fellow citizens from the States. Yet, despite our contributions, despite our longstanding commitment to the values that come with being an American citizen, the reality is that we are still not equal. As we commemorate the 105th anniversary of our American citizenship, it is crucial that Congress acts to end Puerto Rico's undemocratic territory status and responds to our vote for equality through statehood."
Congresswoman Jenniffer González-Colón's remarks: https://youtu.be/wouSw50-rtU
"I was honored to co-introduce our bill together with our friends to admit Puerto Rico's estate after a binding plebiscite, of course. I feel good about where we're headed, to a bipartisan vote on the floor and putting forward a bill that the senators can vote for. And this is about making sure as we see tyranny, attacks of democracy versus autocracy in Ukraine and frankly in so many places around the Caribbean, central and south America. This is where we can take a stand in the Caribbean for democracy and give our brothers and sisters back on the island the opportunity to forge your own destinies and your Florida-Rican brothers and sisters are with you," concluded Congressman Darren Soto during his remarks.
Congressman Darren Soto's remarks: https://youtu.be/v5o8gZo7Pxc
"Puerto Rico holds a special place in my heart. After fleeing Castro's Cuba, my family moved to San Juan. It was in Puerto Rico where I first learned about American values, the meaning behind the American flag, and the essential value of freedom," said CongresswomanMaría Elvira Salazar. "105 years ago, Puerto Ricans became citizens of the greatest nation on Earth. Puerto Rico represents the diversity and values of our country. As the representative of a large Puerto Rican constituency in Miami, I'm pleased to be celebrating 105 years of citizenship."
CongresswomanMaría Elvira Salazar'sremarks: https://youtu.be/ZghLkYmVhqM
"One hundred and five years after the U.S. granted citizenship to the people of Puerto Rico, they have grown to be an integral and vibrant part of American society. My district in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley is the proud home to over 80,000 Puerto Ricans. They are our families, friends, neighbors, and business owners," said CongresswomanSusan Wild. "It's clear that the best way to celebrate this anniversary would be to take steps towards statehood for Puerto Rico, finally giving full rights and representation to more than 3.2 million Americans citizens."
CongresswomanSusan Wild's remarks: https://youtu.be/rfq1PzvfhC4
"We are a government of the people, by the people, for the people. But 105 years after receiving citizenship the Americans of Puerto Rico are still treated as second class citizens, not only in their vote but in critical programs like Social Security, Medicare, and the Child Tax Credit. It's wrong. It's unjust. We must make good on America's promise. The Americans on the island of Puerto Rico must have justice, must have fair treatment, and must have statehood. I am proud to stand with my fellow Americans to keep up the struggle until we win equal rights for Puerto Rico," said CongresswomanVal Demings (D-FL).
CongresswomanVal Demings' remarks: https://youtu.be/iYH3GjTHCqs
"Today I stand in solidarity with my colleagues in calling for what has been long overdue, Statehood for Puerto Rico. In 2020 Puerto Ricans voted overwhelmingly in support of Statehood. The Puerto Rican people should be given a chance to cast a vote where those results will be respected. Now is the time for us to listen loudly and clearly to the calls from the Puerto Rican people. It is a matter of civil rights, both on the island and in the greater diaspora," said CongresswomanDebbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL).
CongresswomanDebbie Wasserman Schultz's remarks: https://youtu.be/_yBz6s0JWqg
"During this time of celebration, I would also like to bring to the House's attention the Puerto Rico Statehood Admission Act, which would grant Puerto Rico statehood. I wholeheartedly support this bipartisan piece of legislation that simply executes the wishes of the people of Puerto Rico. Puerto Ricans have spoken, and it is time for us to listen.", said CongresswomanAmata Coleman Radewagen (R-AS).
"Puerto Rico has voted three times at the ballot box for their desire for admission as a state. American citizens shouldn't be treated differently based on where they live. It's time for Congress to act and pass the Puerto Rico Statehood Admission Act," said CongressmanEric Swalwell (D-CA).
Other Members of Congress who joined this week's activities to commemorate the 105th anniversary of U.S. citizenship for Puerto Ricans and to reaffirm their support for statehood were Representatives André Carson (D-IN), Amata Coleman Radewagen (R-AS), and Eric Swalwell (D-CA), all of whom shared statements of support. Representatives Darren Soto (D-FL), Susan Wild (D-PA), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Mario Díaz-Balart (R- FL), Charlie Crist (D-FL), David Cicilline (D-RI), Tom Reed (R-NY), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Michael San Nicolas (D-Guam), and Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM)—sponsor of S.780, the Senate companion to the Puerto Rico Statehood Admission Act—participated at a press conference in front of the Capitol. And Congressman Don Bacon (R-NE) delivered a message to the group of citizens who came to advocate for statehood.
During the Special Order, Congresswoman Jenniffer González-Colón (R-PR) was joined by Representatives Darren Soto (D-FL), María Elvira Salazar (R-FL), Susan Wild (D-PA), Val Demings (D-FL), and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D -FL). The Governor of Puerto Rico, Pedro Pierluisi, a former member of Congress, also joined them at the Floor.
The Special Order concluded this week's agenda in Washington, D.C. to commemorate the 105th anniversary of Puerto Ricans receiving U.S. Citizenship.
The activities included visits to congressional offices by dozens of statehood supporters from Arkansas; Washington, DC; Florida; Georgia; Maryland; North Carolina; New Jersey; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; Texas; Virginia; Kentucky; New York; and Puerto Rico. They were joined by members of the Shadow Delegation, members of the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico, and the Governor.
The groups advocated for H.R.1522, sponsored by Rep González-Colón and Rep. Soto. The Puerto Rico Statehood Admission Act has 80 bipartisan co-sponsors. It establishes a clear process to enable the Island's admission into the Union, should it be ratified by Puerto Rico voters in a federally sponsored, yes-or-no referendum. It is the status bill with the most co-sponsors in Congress and the only one to have garnered bipartisan support in the House. Additionally, it has no constitutional flaws according to the U.S. Department of Justice and it is truly democratic, leaving the resolution of the territorial status in the hands of the voters of Puerto Rico.
González Colón opened the Special Order by saying "for 105 years, Puerto Ricans have been proud American citizens. We've contributed greatly to this country, excelling in every field of endeavor in the United States. We've proudly upheld and defended the ideals that define our nation, including the over 235,000 Puerto Ricans who have honorably served in the U.S. Armed Forces, fighting side-by-side with our fellow citizens from the States. Yet, despite our contributions, despite our longstanding commitment to the values that come with being an American citizen, the reality is that we are still not equal. As we commemorate the 105th anniversary of our American citizenship, it is crucial that Congress acts to end Puerto Rico's undemocratic territory status and responds to our vote for equality through statehood."
Congresswoman Jenniffer González-Colón's remarks: https://youtu.be/wouSw50-rtU
"I was honored to co-introduce our bill together with our friends to admit Puerto Rico's estate after a binding plebiscite, of course. I feel good about where we're headed, to a bipartisan vote on the floor and putting forward a bill that the senators can vote for. And this is about making sure as we see tyranny, attacks of democracy versus autocracy in Ukraine and frankly in so many places around the Caribbean, central and south America. This is where we can take a stand in the Caribbean for democracy and give our brothers and sisters back on the island the opportunity to forge your own destinies and your Florida-Rican brothers and sisters are with you," concluded Congressman Darren Soto during his remarks.
Congressman Darren Soto's remarks: https://youtu.be/v5o8gZo7Pxc
"Puerto Rico holds a special place in my heart. After fleeing Castro's Cuba, my family moved to San Juan. It was in Puerto Rico where I first learned about American values, the meaning behind the American flag, and the essential value of freedom," said CongresswomanMaría Elvira Salazar. "105 years ago, Puerto Ricans became citizens of the greatest nation on Earth. Puerto Rico represents the diversity and values of our country. As the representative of a large Puerto Rican constituency in Miami, I'm pleased to be celebrating 105 years of citizenship."
CongresswomanMaría Elvira Salazar'sremarks: https://youtu.be/ZghLkYmVhqM
"One hundred and five years after the U.S. granted citizenship to the people of Puerto Rico, they have grown to be an integral and vibrant part of American society. My district in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley is the proud home to over 80,000 Puerto Ricans. They are our families, friends, neighbors, and business owners," said CongresswomanSusan Wild. "It's clear that the best way to celebrate this anniversary would be to take steps towards statehood for Puerto Rico, finally giving full rights and representation to more than 3.2 million Americans citizens."
CongresswomanSusan Wild's remarks: https://youtu.be/rfq1PzvfhC4
"We are a government of the people, by the people, for the people. But 105 years after receiving citizenship the Americans of Puerto Rico are still treated as second class citizens, not only in their vote but in critical programs like Social Security, Medicare, and the Child Tax Credit. It's wrong. It's unjust. We must make good on America's promise. The Americans on the island of Puerto Rico must have justice, must have fair treatment, and must have statehood. I am proud to stand with my fellow Americans to keep up the struggle until we win equal rights for Puerto Rico," said CongresswomanVal Demings (D-FL).
CongresswomanVal Demings' remarks: https://youtu.be/iYH3GjTHCqs
"Today I stand in solidarity with my colleagues in calling for what has been long overdue, Statehood for Puerto Rico. In 2020 Puerto Ricans voted overwhelmingly in support of Statehood. The Puerto Rican people should be given a chance to cast a vote where those results will be respected. Now is the time for us to listen loudly and clearly to the calls from the Puerto Rican people. It is a matter of civil rights, both on the island and in the greater diaspora," said CongresswomanDebbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL).
CongresswomanDebbie Wasserman Schultz's remarks: https://youtu.be/_yBz6s0JWqg
"During this time of celebration, I would also like to bring to the House's attention the Puerto Rico Statehood Admission Act, which would grant Puerto Rico statehood. I wholeheartedly support this bipartisan piece of legislation that simply executes the wishes of the people of Puerto Rico. Puerto Ricans have spoken, and it is time for us to listen.", said CongresswomanAmata Coleman Radewagen (R-AS).
"Puerto Rico has voted three times at the ballot box for their desire for admission as a state. American citizens shouldn't be treated differently based on where they live. It's time for Congress to act and pass the Puerto Rico Statehood Admission Act," said CongressmanEric Swalwell (D-CA).
Other Members of Congress who joined this week's activities to commemorate the 105th anniversary of U.S. citizenship for Puerto Ricans and to reaffirm their support for statehood were Representatives André Carson (D-IN), Amata Coleman Radewagen (R-AS), and Eric Swalwell (D-CA), all of whom shared statements of support. Representatives Darren Soto (D-FL), Susan Wild (D-PA), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Mario Díaz-Balart (R- FL), Charlie Crist (D-FL), David Cicilline (D-RI), Tom Reed (R-NY), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Michael San Nicolas (D-Guam), and Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM)—sponsor of S.780, the Senate companion to the Puerto Rico Statehood Admission Act—participated at a press conference in front of the Capitol. And Congressman Don Bacon (R-NE) delivered a message to the group of citizens who came to advocate for statehood.
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