It's only a first step, but for better or worse the wheels have been set in motion. Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2499, which puts Puerto Ricans on the fast track to statehood, should that be the decision residents of that island territory make going forward. The vote was 223 to 169, with one vote of "present" by Rep. Louise Slaughter, of New York.
The measure offers Puerto Rico, which has been
a U.S. territory for 112 years, a two-step vote. Step one would ask Puerto Ricans, including those living in the United States, whether they want to remain a territorial commonwealth or would prefer to change their status. A vote for change, which is likely, would lead to a second vote with three options: statehood, independence, or an independent "free association" with the U.S. Again, voters given these options would most likely choose statehood.
Supporters say the measure, which is non-binding, gives citizens of the island the right to self-determination. Opponents say it is is a thinly veiled maneuver to impose statehood on a population that doesn't want it. As noted here, Democrats are confident that, should Puerto Rico opt for statehood, the two new senators and Congress members who would be seated as a result would join their caucus.
Here in New York, the vote thrust into vivid relief a schism between Congress members who themselves hail from the island territory. Bronx Rep. Jose Serrano favored passage of the measure, calling it a vital step to ending what he termed "colonial rule." Brooklyn Rep. Nydia Velazquez, usually an ally of Serrano, called the measure a "disgrace," "shameful" and "appalling." Enlarging on her position, Velazquez is quoted by the New York Daily News as saying, "It is baffling that the statehood option, which lost in 1967, in 1993 and again in 1998, is now allowed to scheme its way to victory."
It is worth emphasizing that if Puerto Ricans were to select statehood, Congress would still have to vote to admit the island to the union as the 51st state. It is also worth noting that Puerto Rico is currently facing a banking crisis of its own, which has plunged the territory into financial distress that makes the recession here seem like a walk in the park.
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Comments
Meanwhile, as the rest of the country is distracted by the Arizona nonsense....the Progressive Party marches on with its agenda. Is there anyone in the media??? Hello??
When Conservatives take back the house and senate this November we must stop Puerto Rico from becoming a state. We do not need them...period. It is nothing more than a ploy to insure Socialist victories in the future. It is the same situation as immigration reform....socialist/dems care not about illegals, only their votes which will surely go to the socialists!
To "insure" socialist victories? What does insurance have to do with this topic? Oh, wait, I guess you meant "ensure" right? Puerto Rico has had 3 pro-statehood governors and 2 have and are republicans! The majority of Statehood advocates have been REPUBLICANS and CONSERVATIVES! Puerto Rico becoming the 51st State does not mean the Democrats are going to get new votes in their favor. The majority of the island citizens are conservative in many aspects and not necessarily Democrats. By the way, I am a conservative from Puerto Rico and have served with pride in the Armed Forces of our nation; the United States of America. It is time we get a clear and precise message from the U.S. Congress and let us decide if we want to be a full fledged participant at the table of the republic or continue to be governed from Washington with laws that we do not have a say in.
Democrats are not socialists, clown. That's like calling all Republicans fascists. Apart from some 'Tea Party' nutjobs who do represent this term quite well, it is a flagrant generality.
you really have to admire the efficiency of the progressive movement in destroying America. I mean, 15 months in power, and they are about a third of the way through destroying the private sector, redistributing wealth, and creating a permanent voting majority by adding illegals and Puerto Rico. Remember the very first thing Clinton did?? The motor voter law. This enabled them to begin stealing elections. Oh, I better get to work so I can pay more taxes for someone to get some free "medical" marijuana. bye
Re: Bryan
"When Conservatives take back the house and senate this November we must stop Puerto Rico from becoming a state. We do not need them...period."
Why are you so oppose to having Puerto Rico be state? Is it really about "socialist victories" or are your reasons more than that? Further more I am staunch Conservative Republican and btw, I favor Puerto Rican statehood just like my hero Ronald Reagan, watch:
Listen to what my hero RONALD REAGAN said on youtube dot com: /watch?v=_fjOjFLAGgI
Puerto Rico would not add to "socialist victories" in fact it has been Marxist/Communists in the past which were the loudest voices for Puerto Rican Independence. It has been patriotic Republican and Democrats which have favored statehood in the past. Puerto Ricans want statehood, how do I now? Because I am Puerto Rican!
In case you didn't know the Governor of Puerto Rico, Luis Fortuño, is not a "socialist" he's a Republican and admired by Grover Norquist, of Americans for Ta
Portnoy fails to mention, perhaps on purpose?, that 60 Republicans voted for the Bill with Pelosi and Obama--including two "conservative leaders"...Cantor and Mike Pence. Pence is someone Midwest conservatives and others are infatuated with yet they forget his insane "touchback" scheme for illegals that was essentially Amnesty.
Grover Norquist, of Americans for Tax Reform*
Well the US has used Puerto Rico by drafting persons to fight in wars and by using part of the island to practice bombing. Where they were bombing people have very high rates of cancer.
People in PR are not illegal. They can travel back and forth to us US without passports or papers. Puerto Ricans can migrate to the US whenever they want.
In the 1950's New York mayor recruited Puerto Ricans to come to NY and work.
Needs to become it's own State already. Too large not too already!
What really bothers me about this bill is that, apparently on the basis of their ethnicity, some Americans who are not currently resident in Puerto Rico, get to vote on this measure and other Americans do not. That is indecent and totally un-American. People are either residents of Puerto Rico or residents of the state where they reside but not both. When are they going to ask the Americans who reside in the other 50 states if we want to accept a non-English speaking, economic basket case that is going to be a huge drain of tax dollars as a co-equal state?
Enough with this Religious Right, Antiquated Way Of Thinking. We Need To Move Forward With Science and Technology and Leave That Thinking Behind. Enough Of Living In the 14th Century. The Crusades Are Over, Let Science and Socalism Finally Be The Sensible Part Of This Great Nation. You Will Not Loose Democracy At All. That Is A Scare Tactic Brought On By The Rich and Powerful Religious Right Lobbying Machine. You Will Gain Moving To A Future. We Should Already Be So Far Ahead Of Where We Are Right Now In This Point Of The World's History. But The Wack Jobs In The Bible Belt Think Science and Social Politics Are A Tool Of The Devil... Let Freedom Ring... Bring On Socialist Thinking and Join The Rest Of the World Already. Anyone That Says This Is Communism Needs To Stop Drinking The Ministers Kool-Aide and Live In The Real World Already... Stop Hiding Behind Fear and Ancient Voodoo Principles Already.
It's 2010 Already, Let's Get With It!
Christian, just becuase you're Puerto Rican doesn't outweight the fact that the option for statehood has been voted down three times by the people of Puerto Rico.
Once again, this 'non-binding' bill has been passed without a peep from the media (with exception to Fox and Glenn Beck).
Grover Norquist, of Americans for Tax Reform*
@ I'm all for socialism , if you want to live under the rulings of dictators why don't you move to cuba. your a moron and I'm putting you on my list of people to export! now go get your mommy to run your bath. you spineless idiot
I am Puerto Rican and don't want the state hood. Lets not lose Our Flag, Our Culture, Our Lands, Our Olympic Team, Our Miss Puerto Rico. For the Puerto Rican who wants statehood your going to lose part of your self. I value my culture with pride and to lose some of it because of views and ideals that are already handled as a Commonwealth is beyond comprehension.
First of all, your flag, your culture, and your lands, have not been yours since the Spanish-American War. America won that war, and in the process acquired the territory of Puerto Rico and since then American culture has been mixing with Puerto-Rican culture. You would not even recognize yourself if you removed the influence of the United states on Puerto Rico. Regardless of what you think about it, it is a fact, it happened more than a hundred years ago, and there is nothing to do about it now. Do you honestly think that an island that is 30 by 100 miles long can afford to not be part of the united states? What are you going to do? Do you have a Navy, an Air Force or an Army? NO, you don't. So, my point is, if you are going to be under U.S. government regardless, why not become a state so that you have representation in the Senate, the House, and possibly the presidency?
I'm Puerto Rican, I served in the U.S. Air Force and I am now getting an education to further myself and my country, America. If you knew your ass from your elbows you would know that we have already been American since 1917. The only thing we're missing is representation in Government.
Re: Jammer
In 1967 the vote in favor of statehood was: 39%, in 1993 it was 46.6%, and in 1997 it was 46.7%. The vote for Independence has never been higher than 5%. The majority have always been more a less a tie with status quo/commonwealth or statehood.
With each referendum the vote for Statehood has increased and is expected to increase.
It's been over a 100 years and in that time Puerto Ricans, all of which are natural-born US citizens like everyone else in the 50 states, have fought for, shed blood, and died in every U.S. war since World War I.
The current status was never meant to be permanent, it was originally designed to be a transition, to either independence or statehood and in the spirit of liberty the time has come now for statehood.
You clearly haven't done much research... Most Puerto Ricans actually do not support statehood and this is far from a 'fast track' towards becoming the 51st state.
Why is the Examiner always full of garbage writing?
GOD helps our country
Racial wars are about to begin......
The only girl in your town that isn't inbreed and has teeth has moved to NY City and is in that bath tub waiting for me...
while you and your sister make more of those inbreed children that come out of that Swamp you call home she was lucky enough to escape ot a modern world...
Squeel like a pig Boy!
Grover Norquist is an open borders Bushite wackjob. If PR becomes a State, Spanish becomes an official language, meaning that no one will be compelled to learn English anymore. The Dems will pick up 6 new House and 2 Senate seats. We will have a food fight over language, and our diminishing sovereignty will be on its last legs. Let's give them independence, whether they want it or not. They already get social services without paying taxes.
Cut PR loose. Force independence upon them, too bad if they are cowardly and dependent on the mainland tax payer.
Their culture is not compatible with the USA. This has nothing to do with race, they are white spaniards, not brown skinned meso american peasants.
The goal is plain: Create a new democratic state to prevent Senate filibusters and an Obama majority to ram his socialist agenda through.
I’m PR--recently moved to the US. I think this project does nothing. Of the options we have to choose from, the 2499 states to do two consultations: both including the free-assocition. If the Congress cared about our situation, it would be a black and white solution: either get independent or become a ‘state’. I think is a waste of my money--I do pay a good amount of federal taxes every year-- They have done it before with the three options and people had decided to stay the way we are. If they cared, as they say they do, the association would have not been an option.
Since when can Republicans not be socialist. They were socialist in both parties. They call themselves Progressives. This is a cruel joke on Puerto Rico and the American people. The federal government is out of control and it needs to stop.
Re. Jimi quote below:
"Their culture is not compatible with the USA. This has nothing to do with race, they are white spaniards, not brown skinned meso american peasants.
The goal is plain: Create a new democratic state to prevent Senate filibusters and an Obama majority to ram his socialist agenda through."
Yes, this is not about race or ethnicity, it's about the Dems trying to cinch a majority and shove their socialist agenda down our throats.
But with respect to the demographics of PR, only a minority are white, whether of pure Spanish or other European descent and like all other Latino societies the whites are the privileged class. The rest of the population are indigenous or black or a mixture thereof. No matter though, because they are all US citizens and are all able to emigrate to the mainland now. Statehood is not going to change this.
Again, this is a purely political move by the Dems as white "hispanics" are Republicans while the rest tend to be Democrats
Since Ronald Reagan favored Puerto Rican statehood does that make him a Progressive?
Grover Norquist a Bushite? What a ridiculous statement Grover Norquist is a libertarian free-marketer not a Bushite or a Progressive.
Puerto Rico would give the Dems two new senators? Well as I said before the Governor of Puerto Rico, Luis Fortuno, is a Ronald Reagan-Republican! Whose to say that Puerto Rico will only elect Democrats, those who make that ridiculous claim know nothing about the politics of Puerto Rico.
This bill needs to be halted. There is no reason for them to make it a state and is nothing more than a power grab by Socialists.
RE: Jimi
"Cut PR loose. Force independence upon them, too bad if they are cowardly and dependent on the mainland tax payer.
Wow. Force Independence on them, really? Puerto Ricans have done more for this country then you could ever hope to accomplish. Puerto Ricans have fought in every U.S. war since World War I, and during the Korean War it was Puerto Rican forces which suffered the brunt of the military campaign.
How could you force Independence on a Patriotic-US loving people, which are all Natural-born US Citizens since the Jones Act of 1917? How could you force Independence on a people who as of last count less then 3% favor Independence?
"brown skinned meso american peasants."
Those remarks are highly disgusting and insult to people of Meso-American ancestry? You call them "peasants?" Is that how you see them. You should retract those choice of words.
You say this has nothing to do with race, really because the tone of your remarks suggest otherwise.
How is Puerto Rican statehood a power-grab by socialist?
Another form of BIg Govt screwing over the underprivledged, the uninformed, in order to manipulate and control thier need for more power - so sad - Welcome to the Socialist States of American.
Re. Jimi quote below:
"Their culture is not compatible with the USA. This has nothing to do with race, they are white spaniards, not brown skinned meso american peasants.
The goal is plain: Create a new democratic state to prevent Senate filibusters and an Obama majority to ram his socialist agenda through."
Yes, this is not about race or ethnicity, it's about the Dems trying to cinch a majority and shove their socialist agenda down our throats.
But with respect to the demographics of PR, only a minority are white, whether of pure Spanish or other European descent and like all other Latino societies the whites are the privileged class. The rest of the population are indigenous or black or a mixture thereof. No matter though, because they are all US citizens and are all able to emigrate to the mainland now. Statehood is not going to change this.
Again, this is a purely political move by the Dems as white "hispanics" are Republicans while the rest tend to be Democrats
Re. Jimi quote below:
"Their culture is not compatible with the USA. This has nothing to do with race, they are white spaniards, not brown skinned meso american peasants.
The goal is plain: Create a new democratic state to prevent Senate filibusters and an Obama majority to ram his socialist agenda through."
Yes, this is not about race or ethnicity, it's about the Dems trying to cinch a majority and shove their socialist agenda down our throats.
But with respect to the demographics of PR, only a minority are white, whether of pure Spanish or other European descent and like all other Latino societies the whites are the privileged class. The rest of the population are indigenous or black or a mixture thereof. No matter though, because they are all US citizens and are all able to emigrate to the mainland now. Statehood is not going to change this.
Again, this is a purely political move by the Dems as white "hispanics" are Republicans while the rest tend to be Democrats
I’m PR--recently moved to the US. I think this project does nothing. Of the options we have to choose from, the 2499 states to do two consultations: both including the free-assocition. If the Congress cared about our situation, it would be a black and white solution: either get independent or become a ‘state’. I think is a waste of my money--I do pay a good amount of federal taxes every year-- They have done it before with the three options and people had decided to stay the way we are. If they cared, as they say they do, the association would have not been an option.
Re. Jimi quote below:
"Their culture is not compatible with the USA. This has nothing to do with race, they are white spaniards, not brown skinned meso american peasants.
The goal is plain: Create a new democratic state to prevent Senate filibusters and an Obama majority to ram his socialist agenda through."
Yes, this is not about race or ethnicity, it's about the Dems trying to cinch a majority and shove their socialist agenda down our throats.
But with respect to the demographics of PR, only a minority are white, whether of pure Spanish or other European descent and like all other Latino societies the whites are the privileged class. The rest of the population are indigenous or black or a mixture thereof. No matter though, because they are all US citizens and are all able to emigrate to the mainland now. Statehood is not going to change this.
Again, this is a purely political move by the Dems as white "hispanics" are Republicans while the rest tend to be Democrats
I liket Puerto Ricans but doubt it is in the interests of the people of Puerto Rico for the territory to become a U.S. State.
Most will vote against, again.
The powers that drive statehood for the Island of PR are from outside, not within.
rican born and raised in PR, and have lived have of my life in pr and us, i can say this, the population of pricans that dont want statehood are those of the old generation,half of the island, those who see the usa as the empire, for those living in the usa and the other half that living in the island that want statehood know that is a better choice fr the island, change is going to come, and is not going to b independence.and for those who do not knw what the island people are about, i welcome you to visit, i have traveled all over the USA and except fr a few towns, i do not knw of any more loving and humble people as my own, go visit and see what a "colony" run by itself looks like and u will b surprised =D
The dems should be careful with this move, the vast majority of PRs are hard working US loving people, and like most people from the carribbeans aren't friends with the Mexicans, I can see more PRs voting to close the borders than you may imagine.
PR as a state? It's not going to be good for them, get ready for US style property taxes, teachers Unions, car insurance regulations and the beautiful things that this administration has in store for ALL of us...
Servitude and statehood are now very quickly becoming the same
I think Puerto Rico should be given its independence. They should be given one calendar year to prepare for independence - after which,the people on the island would be no longer be considered American citizens, but citizens of an independent Puerto Rico. Puerto Ricans on the mainland would still be American citizens, bt if they moved permanently to the island, they would lose their U.S. citizenship.
The only reason, as I see it why Puerto Rico is even being considered for statehood, is because pols don't want it to become a Cuban satellite. They think Castro will get his hooks in the island.
That's why Hawaii was made a state, 18 years after Pearl Harbor, as a buffer against Oriental hegemony.
If PR becomes a state they will need to start paying Fed. Income Tax, but most important to the Dems, they will be eligible to vote in Federal elections, broadening the Democrat voting block.
Now they have the advantages of U.S. citizenship without having to pay the taxes. IN fact, they get food stamps and other forms of welfare. I don't think they'll opt for statehood.
Disgusting the marxist traitors in Washington have to now scheme to get two new senators to support the total subversion of America and the constitution.
The myth is that Congress would have to vote on this. As history proves both Tenn. and Alaska used something called the "Tennesse Plan" to just show up in Washington with their delagation and DEMAND to be seated, and that is all it takes, no VOTE, no Disscussion...the United States with more fundemental transformation...thanks Progressives.
If you ask PR.. do you want to be a state? They vote no. What the Obama clan is doing is pushing Puerto Ricans into statehood by offering the best of 3 evils. This is a plan to get the PR voting block for the dems.... Republican congressman, how can you be so fooled, and why are you afraid of being called a racist, when you know you are not. Just explain yourselves.. IF Puerto Rican people want statehood, they should get it. But don't trick them into it.
if puerto rico become states, the president need to remove all this trash puerto rican from the parade and send them home were there are belongs. including the celebrities because their they are trash to.
First thing's first. Puerto Rico is a swing state!!! Look at some polls, how they voted for governor (even though parties and ideologies are different, there is still some correlation). The democrats are CRAZY if they think they are buying more votes!!! For starters, our governor is Republican, and our "representative" is Democrat, and vice versa for our previous term.
Second, Puerto Ricans like the way it is, and it works for both, the US and PR. The US gets soldiers, cheap skill work (reason for why we have Merk, Pfizer), a ticket to South American conferences, and a strategic location. Meanwhile Puerto Ricans get citizenship, and a minority gets welfare. All that comes packed with no taxes, no vote, no representation for them.
Third, nobody cares about race!!! Oh, and by the way, 80% are white (the obvious majority), 20% are non-white, (Census Bureau) and that has NO correlation with party of affiliation.
Continuing, there is actually one thing that Puerto Rico's statehood (if it ever happens) could be beneficial to Dems, we will have more seats in Congress than 23 current states, and we are likely to favor the new healthcare reform, and moderate action against immigration (Puerto Rico has an immigration issue as well, with Dominicans). But again, we are moderate.
Finally, there's one thing that worries me, does Obama know that Puerto Ricans don't agree that much with him? We favored Clinton over him, and even post-election, we are somewhat skeptical about him.
Are not the states with the largest hispanic populations "blue"? If this is a Democrat powergrab, its not a very well thought out one. Because if statehood happens(and it most likely will)I see a tiny conservative island being unleashed. A deeply religious caribbean island (dont be fooled into believing that islanders have the smae mindset as their NY city counterparts) community will not go with abortion, gay marriage, amnesty for illegals, etc etc.. its going to be interesting how it plays out.
Many Americans do not know simple facts about PR and cannot realize that an injustice to Puerto Ricans is an injustice to all Americans. P.R. is a U.S. territory. Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens. The population is about 4 million. The United States is a Free Democracy. These 4 million US citizens cannot vote for their president if they are residents of PR. If a New Yorker moves to PR and establishes residency in this US territory he cannot vote for the president of the US. But if that same resident from New York MOVES TO VENEZUELA,RUSSIA,CUBA,OR ANY OTHER COUNTRY, THEN HE CAN VOTE FOR THE US PRESIDENT. HR 2499 is an urgent matter for all US citizens. PLEASE HELP yourself by helping us END THE COLONIAL STATUS.
First! Puerto Rico have fought each conflict of the U.S. since World WAR 1, and so on. Second, Puerto Rico have more enlisted armed forces per-capita than other States. NOW! Puerto Rico is a colony Congress treat us as second class citizens. Do you remember that when King George did that to you. We want select our US President. Third theres an opinion that Puerto Rico are more democrats than republicans in this, moment maybe yes, but if democrat President make mistakes and the people of P.R don't like, belive me next election the next President would be republican.
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