Puerto Ricans vote in favor of U.S. statehood. Porto Ricans have voted in favor of making their Island a U.S. State. For 122 years, Puerto Rico has been a territory of the U.S. This makes it the oldest colony in the world. In various instances in the past, there were similar referendums. However, Congress never took action to admit Puerto Rico to the Union. This year again the question came up: “should Puerto Rico be immediately admitted into the Union as a state? “A majority of the voters answered “yes”
Although turnout figures were a bit complicated, however, Puerto Rico has sent a clear signal to Congress regarding their desire to attain the rights and privileges associated with statehood. Puerto Ricans vote in favor. Although Puerto Ricans are American citizens and pay into federal programs such as social security and Medicare, they do not hold seats in congress and cannot cast votes for president. They do vote for a resident commissioner who can introduce legislation and vote on committees in the House of Representatives, but that’s a far cry from full voting privileges.
“There’s no doubt that a majority of people favor statehood,”
Puerto Rico Resident Commissioner Jennifer González-Colón said Wednesday after winning a second four-year term as the island’s nonvoting House member.
“This is the only issue that unites Puerto Ricans in this election when the rest of the candidates, even me, got fewer votes than the statehood option.”
Those in favor of statehood hoped for a large turnout more than in the past referendums, believing that will make it more difficult for U.S. lawmakers to ignore the issue. For many years, U.S lawmakers have claimed that Puerto Ricans should decide their own fate. The reason for this is not far-fetched. In the 2017 referendum, less than a quarter of eligible voters participated. That raised questions about the legitimacy of the vote and allowed U.S. lawmakers to discard the issue.
Puerto Rico has a lot to gain by becoming a state. Puerto Ricans voted in favor of U.S. statehood. In addition to being able to participate in Presidential elections, they would have two seats in Senate and 5 Representatives in the house. The new state will also be more likely to gain federal funding. For instance, aid for hurricane Maria came only in an election year. Although President Trump approved $13 billion in aid to Puerto Rico to help in recovery from Hurricane Maria, this decision came three years after Hurricane Maria. Many believe it is not unconnected with the President’s political ambition. If Puerto Rico becomes a state, it could shake up the political dynamics in Congress. Most Puerto Ricans have historically backed Democrats. But it’s not clear that the island will be reliably blue.
Republicans see the move as creating reliable seats in Congress for democrats, including four in the Senate.
“After they change the filibuster, they’re going to admit the District as a state. They’re going to admit Puerto Rico as a state. That’s four new Democratic senators in perpetuity,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said in September.
Puerto Ricans vote in favor. While there has been powerful support among Democrats for D.C. statehood, fewer Democrats have taken positions on statehood for Puerto Rico. Many have said it is up to the Island territory to decide their own fate. It is not clear whether in statehood bill could pass if the Senate remains in Republican hands.
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