Opening Statement from Congresswoman Jenniffer González-Colón (R-PR) at the House Natural Resources Committee Markup on H.R. 8393 Puerto Rico Status Act
Washington, D.C.- "Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Today’s markup represents a step forward in Congress to assume its responsibility towards Puerto Rico.
Over the years, this committee has conducted countless hearings on the issue of Puerto Rico’s status with the United States, as well as on the Island’s unequal treatment under federal laws and programs, resulting from this relationship. The territorial Commonwealth status is the main reason why Puerto Rico still faces social, fiscal, and economic challenges. This bill, the Puerto Rico Status Act, reflects the compromise that Ms. Velazquez and I have reached to find common ground and set forth a self-determination process that would lead to the resolution of Puerto Rico’s status question once and for all.
As with any compromise, neither one of us got everything we wanted. I would very much rather be voting today on HR 1522, legislation that Mr. Soto and I introduced, establishing the process for Puerto Rico’s admission as a State of the Union. But, I also understand the value of partnering with Ms. Velazquez in an effort to come up with a compromise bill that will eventually achieve the same goal. Therefore, although I may in principle understand the reasoning behind some of the concerns and arguments that may be raised today, I will uphold my commitment to the agreement we have crafted over the course of several months of hard negotiations and vote against any amendment that may be proposed.
I would like to thank my friend Representative Soto for always standing with us for Puerto Rico’s decolonization. I also want to remember someone who would have surely loved to be here today, my dear friend the late Representative Don Young, who lived through and understood the inequities under the territorial status and the opportunities that statehood brought to Alaska, and that it would bring to Puerto Rico. That’s why he became the biggest champion for Puerto Rico statehood and for the need to resolve our political status. In 1998, as Chairman of this Committee, he held multiple hearings, including on the Island, sponsored and successfully secured passage in the House of legislation to achieve just that.
Through H.R. 8393 and for the first time, Congress would be authorizing a federally sanctioned, binding plebiscite among the truly constitutionally viable, non-territorial status options: Statehood, Independence, and Sovereignty in Free Association.
This bill empowers the people of Puerto Rico to vote, in a democratic and transparent process, on their future. It will allow them to know exactly the consequences of the choices that are before them, through a non-partisan, well defined, voter education campaign.
Finally, the bill establishes a mechanism to implement the choice that reflects the will of the people.
We have been debating our political relationship with the United States for 124 years, and this bill gives us a final resolution. Having a bill that is binding, in which Congress clearly lays out what it is willing to offer, is so important.
Remaining in a subordinate and inferior condition, for political or financial convenience, IS NOT a valid option. By votes, over the past decade, the status-quo has been repeatedly rejected. Congress must commit to real action, to end the territorial condition of Puerto Rico.
This is a matter of making good on the promise our Founders made in the Preamble of our Constitution in forming “a more perfect Union” and the equal rights the people of Puerto Rico deserve, whom for the past 105 years have been proud American citizens. With thousands paying the ultimate price to ensure our liberties and freedoms, all while being denied equal participation in the federal decision-making process.
Over the past decade Puerto Rico has held three local plebiscites, in which a clear majority of voters have chosen statehood each time. I am confident that with the enactment of this legislation, voters will ratify their desire to join the Union. However, for those who believe Puerto Rico should become a sovereign nation, this bill gives them that option as well.
Colleagues, we have had to make difficult choices and concessions to get here, but I am convinced that this legislation represents a serious and historic effort to finally decolonize Puerto Rico. It is not a perfect bill. No legislation that we pass in Congress is. My vote in favor will be a reflection of the will of the vast majority of the people I am honored to represent, and who understandably, want to end over one hundred years of inequality, and second-class citizenship. Ironically, it will also be my only opportunity to vote on this matter, as being a territorial delegate will preclude me from voting on final passage of this or any other bill impacting my constituents in the House floor.
As Puerto Rico’s sole representative in Congress, I respectfully ask for your support and your vote."
Link for the video of the statement.
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