The House of Representatives approved this Thursday a bill on the status of Puerto Rico that authorizes the holding of a binding referendum on the island in November 2023 to define its political future.
The House gave its approval to that regulation by 233 votes in favor and 191 against, with the support of the Democratic majority, but now it must be ratified by the Senate (with Republican votes) before the end of the legislature in January, and then signed by the president, Joe Biden (who has given his approval to the initiative).
The bill recognizes that Puerto Rico's territorial status limits the island's full political, economic, and social development, and that the federal government has a responsibility to facilitate the election and transition to a non-territorial political status.
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Puerto Rico has been a US territory since 1898, considered a Commonwealth, with its own Constitution and a significant degree of autonomy, but the US reserves sections such as defense, currency, immigration and customs, among others.
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The bill authorizes the holding of a plebiscite on November 5, 2023, sponsored by the federal Executive, on its political status, and specifies the options:
being a full-fledged state;
the independence of the United States;
or maintain free association status.
In addition, it establishes a process and dates for the Department of Justice to review voter information materials and ballot design.
“It is a good solution that will allow Puerto Ricans to decide for themselves what the next step should be.
We must give them that opportunity, ”said Democratic representative Jim McGovern, chairman of the Rules Committee, at the beginning of the debate.
The governor of Puerto Rico, Pedro Pierluisi, was present at the vote, which he considered "a historic day" by promoting the election of "three non-territorial and non-colonial options" and setting "a public policy precedent at the highest level." .
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“Puerto Ricans have played an important role in the American family for nearly a century,” said Democratic Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. “They contribute to American culture, help protect national security and support its economy.
But for too long they have been shut out of the full promise of American democracy.
We owe them the ending of their status as a territory,” she added.