Topline
A bipartisan group of legislators has signed on to sponsor the 2021 Puerto Rico Statehood Admission Act, which has been formally introduced to set up a pathway for the U.S. island to become a state as Puerto Rico’s governor has ramped up his push for statehood ahead of a reported meeting with senior White House officials.
Another push is on for Puerto Rican statehood, and advocates are hoping this one will have more ... [+]
Key Facts
A group of 47 House members, including 12 Republicans, are sponsoring the 2021 Puerto Rico Statehood Admission Act.
If passed, the act would allow Puerto Rico residents to vote in a referendum called by the commonwealth's governor to vote on whether it should become a state.
The president would then declare a result and, if statehood passed, would decide on the date Puerto Rico would officially become a state.
Puerto Rico Gov. Pedro Pierluisi and senior White House officials will meet on Wednesday, according to the Miami Herald.
President Joe Biden said last year he supports Puerto Rican statehood, but his official position as president is to support “self-determination.”
Big Number
53%. That's the percentage of Puerto Rican voters who voted “yes” on the question of whether Puerto Rico should immediately become a state during a nonbinding referendum held in November.
Chief Critics
Many Republicans, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) are leery of the effort for Puerto Rican statehood, believing voters there would elect Democrats, even though the official Republican Party platform “recognizes the right of the United States citizens of Puerto Rico to be admitted to the Union as a fully sovereign state.”
Key Background
Numerous attempts have been undertaken in the past for Puerto Rican statehood, with seven bills filed since 2013 alone relating to the statehood effort. But hopes are higher among statehood advocates given Democrats control the White House and both chambers of Congress for the first time in a decade, as Democrats have generally been more supportive of statehood efforts in the past. Pressure is also building from Gov. Pierluisi, who supports using public funds to send "shadow representatives" to Washington to lobby for statehood.
What To Watch For
Passing the 2021 Puerto Rico Statehood Admission Act is not expected to be an easy task, even with the Democratic majorities. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is one of the critical figures who doesn’t appear to support the bill, amid efforts to turn the island into a tax haven.
Further Reading
Could Puerto Rico become a US state? New bill in Congress faces an uphill battle (Miami Herald)
Puerto Rico pushes for statehood amid debt crisis: 'We will fight for it until we achieve it' (The Washington Times)
Charles Schumer reaffirms he will not support a pro-statehood bill for Puerto Rico (El Nuevo Dia)
