173:(D-New York). The bill would have provided for a referendum to be held no later than December 31, 2009. The referendum would have given Puerto Ricans the choice between the options of retaining their present political status, or choosing a new status. If the former option were to win, the referendum would have been held again every 8 years. If the latter option were to win, a separate referendum would have been held no later than December 31, 2011. In this referendum, Puerto Ricans would have been given the option of being admitted as a U.S. State "on equal footing with the other states," or becoming a "sovereign nation, either fully independent from or in free association with the United States." Were Puerto Ricans to choose statehood, independence, or free association, the US Congress would have had six months to act on the wishes of the Puerto Rican people.
31:
269:. Allowing non-residents to vote outside their current jurisdiction of residence is not typical in elections, but this aspect of the proposal would provide an opportunity for the substantial Puerto Rican population living elsewhere (assuming they were born in Puerto Rico and remain U.S. citizens) to participate in what many view as an essential Puerto Rican political debate. Proposals to allow those living outside Puerto Rico to vote in plebiscites do not appear to have generated substantial controversy, according to a Congressional Research Service analysis.
309:.) Based on current compact agreements with the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau, the U.S. provides those countries with defense protection and various forms of economic aid. If the "sovereign association" language proposed in H.R. 2499 is viewed as something akin to free association, the future relationship between the U.S. and an independent Puerto Rico could resemble the current relationships between the United States and the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau.
213:
would have been held again every 8 years. If the latter option were to win, a separate referendum would be held where Puerto Ricans would have been given the option of being admitted as a US State "on equal footing with the other states," or becoming a "sovereign nation, either fully independent from or in free association with the United States." The bill enjoyed bi-partisan support in the House of
Representatives, with 181 co-sponsors.
476:
490:
244:. For those who believe that direct democracy is the best method for readdressing the status issue, the plebiscite approach could be preferred. Plebiscites, however, necessarily include pre-determined questions and answers (i.e., the options listed on the ballot). Other proposals (e.g., H.R. 110-1230) suggest a more grassroots-oriented approach involving
317:
either be a State or a territory, but some in Puerto Rico maintain that such a political status could be negotiated between Puerto Rico and the U.S. These are two possible interpretations of option No. 2 in the second plebiscite and, in the absence of additional information, the precise meaning of the option is unclear.
277:
The first and third status options in the second plebiscite â independence and statehood, respectively â are straightforward. The second option, however, uses terminology that is not widely recognized in discussions of political status. It proposes: "Sovereignty in
Association with the United States:
422:
to inform voters in all authorized plebiscites that if Puerto Rico retains its current status or is admitted as a State: (1) any official language requirements of the
Federal Government shall apply to Puerto Rico to the same extent as throughout the United States (regardless of the fact that English
316:
status debates. Generally, "enhanced commonwealth" suggests a relationship that is, essentially, something between territorial status and statehood. Recent presidential task force reports have concluded that such an option would be unconstitutional because land under United States sovereignty must
212:
to the United States
Congress (not a voting-member of the House of Representatives). The bill would provide for a referendum giving Puerto Ricans the choice between the options of retaining their present political status, or choosing a new status. If the former option were to win, the referendum
248:
without preconditions on the issues to be considered or options to be proposed. The plebiscite approach is perhaps a more efficient way to ascertain the electorate's views on specific questions, but plebiscites do not allow for modification of the questions presented. By contrast, although
423:
is already an official language in Puerto Rico); and (2) it is the Sense of
Congress that the teaching of English be promoted in Puerto Rico in order for English-language proficiency to be achieved"; regardless of the fact that English is already taught in all grades from primary school,
289:"Sovereignty in association with the United States" is not a term of art typically used in status discussions. The proposed ballot language suggests that Puerto Rico would become an independent nation but maintain a close relationship with the U.S., perhaps akin to a concept known as "
152:
have been held in recent decades in Puerto Rico to gauge the will of its people for a change in its current political status, but no changes have taken place as it requires an Act of the U.S. Congress to change Puerto Rico's political status.
312:"Sovereignty in association with the United States" might also be interpreted to mean so-called "enhanced commonwealth," an option that is not a particular territorial status or official term, but which has been a component of previous
305:â are currently engaged in free association with the United States. (Following World War II, the U.S. administered all three of those territories on behalf of the United Nations, although they were never U.S. territories per se but
508:
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conventions have the potential advantage of allowing for wide-ranging debate, they rely on delegates to represent popular will and might or might not be able to reach a politically viable status choice.
436:
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and U.S. citizens born in Puerto Rico â but not necessarily living there today â would be eligible to participate in the plebiscites. This approach is substantially similar to the one proposed in
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used for authorized plebiscites include the full content of the ballot printed in
English" âa consideration already contemplated in Puerto Rican electoral law. It would also require the
144:, which states that Congress has the authority "to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory belonging to the United States." This status has been
439:. A hearing was scheduled on May 19, 2010 for the purpose of gathering testimony on the bill. Among those scheduled to offer testimony are Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico
359:
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141:
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293:." Free association generally implies negotiated legal, economic, or defense ties between two independent nations. Three former territories â the
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Immediately following House passage, H.R. 2499 was sent to the U.S. Senate, where it was given two formal readings and referred to the
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306:
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The House
Natural Resources Committee, led by Chairman Nick J. Rahall (D-WV), approved the bill and referred it to the
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129:
765:
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The Act had bi-partisan support in the House of
Representatives, with 129 co-sponsors, and was introduced in the
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30:
503:
113:
444:
330:
170:
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637:
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861:'United States Plus One â The Prospect of Puerto Rico as the 51st State' â Audio Documentary on HR.2499
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To provide for a federally sanctioned self-determination process for the people of Puerto Rico.
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H.R. 2499: Puerto Rico
Democracy Act of 2010 on Govtrack.us a civic project to track Congress
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638:"Cosponsors - H.R.2499 - 111th Congress (2009-2010): Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2010"
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79:
200:), was introduced in the United States House of Representatives on May 19, 2009 by
464:. H.R. 2499 officially died with the sine die adjournment of the 111th Congress.
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status quo the option of voting their preference during the second stage of the
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784:"Puerto Rico Status Bill Coming to a Vote â Hon. Pedro Pierluisi - Puerto Rico"
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Puerto Rico and the United States should form a political association between
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in Puerto Rico, the United States, and the United
Nations. Three non-binding
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H.R. 2499 proposes to take the question directly to voters in at least one
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announced that H.R. 2499 would be voted on in the week of April 26, 2010.
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117:
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of the United States located in the northeastern Caribbean Sea. It was
415:
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509:
Bills in U.S. Congress regarding the political status of Puerto Rico
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exact meaning of "Sovereignty in association with the United States"
184:(D-CO) with 15 co-sponsors. The bill was never voted on before the
138:
territorial status subject to United States congressional authority
228:
participation of Puerto Rican population not living in the Island
221:
The key issues of this bill that are considered "debatable" are:
136:. However, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico continued to be under
702:"Political Status of Puerto Rico: Options for Congress, Page 2"
674:"Political Status of Puerto Rico: Options for Congress, Page 1"
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Meaning of "Sovereignty in association with the United States"
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as S. 1936 with bi-partisan support on August 2, 2007 by Sen.
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held a hearing on the bill with the participation of the
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Proposed legislation of the 111th United States Congress
891:
Proposed legislation of the 110th United States Congress
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414:, stated that it "would retain the requirement that all
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Participation of Puerto Ricans not living in Puerto Rico
820:"U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources"
656:
Political Status of Puerto Rico: Options for Congress.
557:"Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2007 (2007 - S. 1936)"
427:, and high school, as well as in higher education.
37:
360:United States House Committee on Natural Resources
766:"Comité congresional aprueba proyecto de status"
437:Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
402:, stated that it "would allow supporters of the
398:were added to H.R. 2499. The first, proposed by
257:Under H.R. 2499, Puerto Ricans living on the
120:by Spain to the United States as part of the
8:
723:"2007 President's Task Force Report, Page 6"
23:
603:: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (
142:Territorial Clause of the U.S. Constitution
128:. In 1952, the U.S. Congress ratified the
100:The bill has been introduced twice in the
744:"Resources Committee Schedule on HR 2499"
383:On April 22, 2010, Resident Commissioner
375:floor with a 30 in favor 8 against vote.
327:U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources
390:on April 29, 2010, H.R. 2499 passed the
236:Plebiscite vs. constitutional convention
225:plebiscite vs. constitutional convention
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694:
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658:Congressional Research Service. Page 2.
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452:Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico
70:to be held in Puerto Rico to determine
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574:111th Congress (2009) (May 19, 2009).
420:Puerto Rico State Elections Commission
373:United States House of Representatives
167:United States House of Representatives
72:the island's ultimate political status
55:to provide for a federally sanctioned
22:
668:
666:
7:
339:Puerto Rico House of Representatives
286:of the United States Constitution."
210:Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico
169:on February 7, 2007 by Congressman
104:, first in 2007 and again in 2009.
504:Puerto Rico Self-Determination Act
14:
856:Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2009
636:Pedro, Pierluisi (May 19, 2010).
592:Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2009
192:Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2010
157:Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2007
488:
474:
307:United Nations Trust Territories
295:Republic of the Marshall Islands
282:that will not be subject to the
132:, proclaiming Puerto Rico as an
74:. The bill was approved by the
29:
459:Puerto Rican Independence Party
18:Bill of the 111th U.S. Congress
299:Federated States of Micronesia
1:
410:." The second, proposed by
130:Constitution of Puerto Rico
66:This act would provide for
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246:constitutional conventions
217:Key issues before Congress
59:process for the people of
660:Retrieved April 29, 2010.
394:with a 223â169 vote. Two
146:subject of ongoing debate
86:. It was not approved by
49:Puerto Rico Democracy Act
28:
24:Puerto Rico Democracy Act
851:HR 2499 Status on THOMAS
457:; and President of the
165:) was introduced in the
114:unincorporated territory
76:House of Representatives
445:Governor of Puerto Rico
331:Governor of Puerto Rico
97:of the 111th Congress.
78:on April 29, 2010 by a
325:On June 24, 2009, the
102:United States Congress
353:Committee assignments
347:Senate of Puerto Rico
802:"Congresmatters.com"
754:on December 5, 2010.
343:Thomas Rivera Schatz
134:insular commonwealth
126:SpanishâAmerican War
881:2009 in Puerto Rico
876:2007 in Puerto Rico
846:WashingtonWatch.com
806:congressmatters.com
534:Library of Congress
450:; President of the
345:, president of the
25:
886:Law of Puerto Rico
537:. October 23, 2007
482:Puerto Rico portal
333:, and others like
284:Territorial Clause
112:Puerto Rico is an
90:and died with the
57:self-determination
824:energy.senate.gov
337:, speaker of the
335:Jennifer Gonzalez
303:Republic of Palau
280:sovereign nations
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619:"ăă«ăŻăŹăŒă« ć
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580:Legislation
576:"H.R. 2499"
561:GovTrack.us
206:Puerto Rico
182:Ken Salazar
178:U.S. Senate
150:plebiscites
124:during the
95:adjournment
68:plebiscites
61:Puerto Rico
870:Categories
515:References
412:Dan Burton
408:plebiscite
396:amendments
379:House vote
301:, and the
242:plebiscite
108:Background
88:the Senate
38:Long title
788:house.gov
748:house.gov
730:usdoj.gov
529:"H.R.900"
599:cite web
468:See also
263:H.R. 900
93:sine die
709:fas.org
681:fas.org
586:May 21,
416:ballots
321:Hearing
314:popular
265:in the
188:ended.
84:223â169
297:, the
259:Island
726:(PDF)
705:(PDF)
677:(PDF)
392:House
118:ceded
51:is a
605:link
588:2009
543:2008
53:bill
47:The
204:(D-
82:of
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Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
