Puerto Rico Status Act

3/9/2023, 5:47 PM

Puerto Rico Status Act

This bill provides for a plebiscite to be held on November 5, 2023, to resolve Puerto Rico's political status.

Specifically, such plebiscite shall offer eligible voters a choice of independence, sovereignty in free association with the United States, or statehood.

The Puerto Rico State Elections Commission shall

  • carry out a nonpartisan voter education campaign through traditional paid media and make available at all voting locations voter education materials related to the plebiscites, and
  • invite national and international election observers to ensure transparency and confidence in the electoral process.

All voter educational materials and ballots used to carry out this bill shall be made available in English and Spanish.

The bill sets forth transition and implementation provisions for each choice offered in the plebiscite.

Bill 117 HR 8393, also known as the Puerto Rico Status Act, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress that aims to address the political status of Puerto Rico. The bill was introduced by Representative Darren Soto and has garnered bipartisan support.

The main objective of the Puerto Rico Status Act is to provide a clear and fair process for the people of Puerto Rico to determine their political status. The bill outlines a series of steps that would lead to a federally sanctioned vote on the island's status, including options for statehood, independence, free association, or maintaining the current territorial status.

The bill also includes provisions for the establishment of a Congressional Task Force on Puerto Rico Status, which would be responsible for overseeing the implementation of the status referendum and making recommendations to Congress on the next steps for Puerto Rico's political future. Overall, the Puerto Rico Status Act seeks to provide a democratic and transparent process for the people of Puerto Rico to decide on their political status, while also ensuring that their voices are heard and respected in the halls of Congress.
Congress
117
Number
HR - 8393
Introduced on
2022-07-15
# Amendments
1
Sponsors
+5
Cosponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

12/15/2022
Text
PDF
XML

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
Failed in House
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

Puerto Rico Status Act

This bill provides for a plebiscite to be held on November 5, 2023, to resolve Puerto Rico's political status.

Specifically, such plebiscite shall offer eligible voters a choice of independence, sovereignty in free association with the United States, or statehood.

The Puerto Rico State Elections Commission shall

  • carry out a nonpartisan voter education campaign through traditional paid media and make available at all voting locations voter education materials related to the plebiscites, and
  • invite national and international election observers to ensure transparency and confidence in the electoral process.

All voter educational materials and ballots used to carry out this bill shall be made available in English and Spanish.

The bill sets forth transition and implementation provisions for each choice offered in the plebiscite.

Bill 117 HR 8393, also known as the Puerto Rico Status Act, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress that aims to address the political status of Puerto Rico. The bill was introduced by Representative Darren Soto and has garnered bipartisan support.

The main objective of the Puerto Rico Status Act is to provide a clear and fair process for the people of Puerto Rico to determine their political status. The bill outlines a series of steps that would lead to a federally sanctioned vote on the island's status, including options for statehood, independence, free association, or maintaining the current territorial status.

The bill also includes provisions for the establishment of a Congressional Task Force on Puerto Rico Status, which would be responsible for overseeing the implementation of the status referendum and making recommendations to Congress on the next steps for Puerto Rico's political future. Overall, the Puerto Rico Status Act seeks to provide a democratic and transparent process for the people of Puerto Rico to decide on their political status, while also ensuring that their voices are heard and respected in the halls of Congress.
Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedTo enable the people of Puerto Rico to choose a permanent, nonterritorial, fully self-governing political status for Puerto Rico and to provide for a transition to and the implementation of that permanent, nonterritorial, fully self-governing political status, and for other purposes.
Policy Areas
Government Operations and Politics
Potential Impact
Advisory bodies•
Citizenship and naturalization•
Congressional districts and representation•
Congressional elections•
Congressional oversight•
Disability assistance•
Due process and equal protection•
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation•
Federal district courts•
First Amendment rights•
Foreign language and bilingual programs•
Government information and archives•
Human rights•
Immigration status and procedures•
Judicial procedure and administration•
Jurisdiction and venue•
Members of Congress•
Political representation•
Protest and dissent•
Public participation and lobbying•
Puerto Rico•
Religion•
Rule of law and government transparency•
Social security and elderly assistance•
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status•
U.S. territories and protectorates•
Veterans' pensions and compensation•
Voting rights

Comments

Related

Member:  Frederica S. Wilson
Member:  Eleanor Holmes Norton
Member:  Bobby L. Rush
Member:  Fred Upton
Member:  John B. Larson
Member:  John Katko
Member:  Sheila Jackson Lee
Member:  Marcy Kaptur
Member:  Steny H. Hoyer
Member:  Michael F. Doyle
Member:  Diana DeGette
Bill Update Alert:  Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 8393) to enable the people of Puerto Rico to choose a permanent, nonterritorial, fully self-governing political status for Puerto Rico and to provide for a transition to and the implementation of that permanent, nonterritorial, fully self-governing political status, and for other purposes.
Amendment Update Alert:  117 hamdt 334 - undefined
Committee:  Natural Resources

Recent Activity

Latest Summary12/27/2022

Puerto Rico Status Act

This bill provides for a plebiscite to be held on November 5, 2023, to resolve Puerto Rico's political status.

Specifically, such plebiscite shall offer eligible voters a choice of independenc...

Latest Action12/15/2022
Received in the Senate.