Puerto Rican Governor Pedro Pierluisi told Axios on HBO that “Congress is morally obligated to respond” to the island’s recent vote in favor of the state, and said he expects a bill in the House in mid-March.
Why it’s important: Although the state of the state has been debated for years, advocates say it is now more likely because Democrats control the House, Senate and White House, and because President Biden has supported it. publicly.
- Pierluisi campaigned on the state for Puerto Rico along with other issues, such as controlling the coronavirus pandemic and pulling U.S. territory out of its financial crisis.
What it says: Although the vote for state status was reduced (52% support and 47% against), the governor told “Axios on HBO” that it is the best way for Puerto Ricans to receive equal treatment. than American citizens.
- “We need a game changer in Puerto Rico. And a game changer would be for us to receive equal treatment in key federal programs,” Pierluisi said, citing programs like Medicaid and the earned income tax credit, which are not available to people living in the US.
- People living in Puerto Rico have no representatives in Congress with full voting power and cannot vote for the president of the United States.
- “The state is not a panacea,” Pierluisi said. “Of course, we need to do better. But there’s no doubt that having two senators and four representatives in Congress fighting for us when necessary would make a difference.”
Reality check: Congress is not obligated to take on the question of the state of Puerto Rico.
- And former President Trump’s corruption charges in his leadership further highlighted Puerto Rico’s history of managing federal aid, especially after Hurricane Maria, several earthquakes, and a historic bankruptcy.
- While Pierluisi said Trump’s concerns about Puerto Rico’s corruption were exaggerated, his argument regarding the U.S. should assume this is simple: “The U.S. could expand by admitting Puerto Rico to the union. I would be telling the world that it is embracing diversity because that would be a truly completely Hispanic state. “
The other side: Opponents of the state defend independence or self-determination, as proposed last year in a bill by representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Nina Velazquez, both Democratic representatives of Puerto Rico de Nova York.
- And some Republicans argue that they believe all of Puerto Rico’s representatives in Congress would be Democrats if they were admitted as the 51st state.
- Pierluisi says he believes Puerto Rico would be a swing state with a “mixed” congressional delegation, though “it would probably be supported in a democratic way.”
- While advocates for the state of Puerto Rico believe it is now their best chance to achieve this, many are also pushing for DC to become a state with full and equal representation in Congress.
- “I don’t want to compete with DC, I’m for DC status,” Pierluisi said. “So I just want the star [on the American flag]. I don’t care about the number. As long as it happens and happens soon, I will be more than satisfied. “
Deepen … State of Puerto Rico: What You Need to Know