Statement on the Historic Compromise Behind the Puerto Rico Status Act Discussion Draft
For Immediate Release
Thursday, May 19, 2022
Contact
202-841-2996
Statement on the Historic Compromise Behind the Puerto Rico Status Act Discussion Draft
Washington, D.C. – Today, CHC Members Reps. Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-03), Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07), Darren Soto (FL-09), and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) with Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer, Rep. Jenniffer González-Colón, and The Honorable Pedro R. Pierluisi announced a historic agreement that would give the people of Puerto Rico the power to decide their political future.
This Congress, the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources has considered two pieces of legislation with different mechanisms to resolve Puerto Rico's political status – the Puerto Rico Statehood Admission Act (H.R. 1522), introduced by Rep. Darren Soto on March 2, 2021, and the Puerto Rico Self-Determination Act, introduced by Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez on March 18, 2021. The lead sponsors of both bills have come together to combine elements of their respective bills to arrive at a compromise that would be supported by a majority of members of Congress. The Puerto Rico Status Act Discussion Draft is the result of that effort.
Stakeholders that want to give their thoughts on the Discussion Draft before the bill is formally introduced can visit this link. The CHC has issued the following statement on the topic:
"Today is a historic day for the people of Puerto Rico. The CHC applauds the groundbreaking agreement between our Members and House Majority Leader Hoyer to ensure the Puerto Rican people have the power to choose their own political future through a democratic process," said Chair Dr. Raul Ruiz.
###
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), founded in December 1976, is organized as a Congressional Member organization, governed under the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives. The CHC is dedicated to voicing and advancing, through the legislative process, issues affecting Hispanics in the United States, Puerto Rico and U.S. Territories.