12-16-2022
7 HOURS AGO
The House passed a bill that would enable the people
of Puerto Rico to decide the future of their political status on their own.
It's been a major priority of outgoing House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer.
The House passed historic legislation setting up a process for the people of Puerto Rico to determine their future political status. It cleared the chamber 233-191 with 16 Republicans supporting it.
Which Republicans voted yes? Reps. Don Bacon (Neb.), Liz Cheney (Wyo.), Rodney Davis (Ill.), Brian Fitzpatrick (Pa.), Mayra Flores (Texas), Andrew Garbarino (N.Y.), Anthony Gonzalez (Ohio), Jaime Herrera Beutler (Wash.), Bill Huizenga (Mich.), David Joyce (Ohio), John Katko (N.Y.), Dan Newhouse (Wash.), Bill Posey (Fla.), María Salazar (Fla.), Lloyd Smucker (Pa.) and Fred Upton (Mich.).
It's been a top priority for outgoing Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. Other key members involved include: Reps. Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.), Jenniffer González-Colón (R-P.R.), Darren Soto (D-Fla.) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.).
"There were many times over the past several weeks when it appeared there wasn't any hope of ever bringing this bill to the floor. In fact, my colleagues and I were negotiating final changes as recently as 24 hours ago. But with the prodding of Leader Hoyer, we persevered."
As the group of negotiators noted in a joint statement: "Many of us disagree on what that future should look like, but we all accept that the decision must belong to the people of Puerto Rico and to them alone.
The Puerto Rico Status Act will grant them that choice."
What does it do? The bill establishes a binding plebiscite in which the voters of the island would vote between three options politically going forward. Read the full text.
Statehood,
Independence
Sovereignty in free association with the U.S.
A majority would be needed for any of the options to prevail — with a runoff taking place if that threshold isn't met. The measure would fund public education on each of these three options, as well as robust oversight of the election itself...