Home | Democracy & Our Future | Our Homes & Communities | Cooperation
Effective Activism | Fundraising | National Groups | About & Contact
U.S. Statehood for Puerto Rico
Background
U.S. statehood is a contested issue in Puerto Rico, so even if statehood were to be approved by the U.S. Congress, it would ultimately be up to Puerto Rico’s citizens to decide the question. Congress is split, with more Republicans than Democrats standing in the way. The 2020 Democratic Party platform endorsed statehood.
Puerto Rico’s residents are officially U.S. citizens, but they do not get to vote in Presidential elections. They do not pay federal income taxes on local income, but they do pay other federal taxes such as Social Security and Medicare. Most federal laws apply, and they travel on U.S. passports. Puerto Ricans have served in all branches of the U.S. military for more than 100 years.
In the most recent 2020 vote, almost 53% of the voters in Puerto Rico supported becoming the 51st U.S. state. But nearly half of the electorate rejected this option, underscoring the split among Puerto Rican voters.
Statehood would give Puerto Ricans the right to vote in Presidential elections as well as voting representation in Congress. Their population of more than 3.2 million is larger than that of 15 states.
For purposes of our discussion of the Senate and Electoral College, they would become full members. Many observers believe they would be most likely to elect Democrats to the Senate. For the same reasons, they would also likely support Democrats in Presidential elections and in the Electoral College. This likely explains why most opposition comes from Republicans, although a few support statehood.
Organizations
Books
Citizens Without A State
By Howard Hills
Puerto Rico: What Everyone Needs to Know
By Jorge Duany
Puerto Rico: Potential Federal Fiscal Implications of Statehood
By Robert Merrill
When the Sky Fell: Hurricane Maria and the United States in Puerto Rico
By Michael Deibert
Puerto Rico: Information on How Statehood Would Potentially Affect Selected Federal Programs and Revenue Sources
By Penny Hill Press, Editor
Puerto Rico's Plebiscites
By Juan Jose Nolla-Acosta
War Against All Puerto Ricans: Revolution and Terror in America's Colony
By Nelson A Denis
Tax Rules Relating to Puerto Rico Under Present Law and Under Statehood, Independence, and Enhanced Commonwealth Status
By U.S. Joint Committee on Taxation
Puerto Rico: America's 51st State?
By David J. Abodaher
Articles
Bipartisan group restarts push for Puerto Rico statehood vote
By Justin Papp
Puerto Rico Statehood Movement
By Wikipedia
House Passes Bill That Could Pave the Way for Puerto Rican Statehood
By Emily Cochrane & Patricia Mazzei
Puerto Rico: A U.S. Territory in Crisis
By Amelia Cheatham & Diana Roy
Puerto Rico has Been Part of the US for 125 Years, But its Future Remains Contested
By Jorge Duany
Let Puerto Rico Be Free
By Jaquira Diaz
Puerto Rico, U.S.A.: The Case for Statehood
By Carlos Romero-Barcelo
Will Puerto Rico Become a State?
By Erick Trickey
Videos
House Passes Bill That Could Lead to Statehood for Puerto Rico
By New York Times
Raskin Urges Puerto Rico, D.C. Statehood To ‘Grow Democracy’
By Congressman Jamie Raskin
Why Puerto Rico is Not a U.S. State
By Vox
What is Self-Determination for Puerto Rico?
By PR51st
Join the Puerto Rico Statehood Movement
By PR51st
U.S. House Testimony in Support of Statehood
By Puerto Rico Statehood Council Chair José Fuentes-Agostini
Economics of Statehood
By Mike Fellman & Arthus MacEwan
Published: September 2023
To Link Or Republish >>
Return to Strengthening Democracy Articles Home >>
Home | Democracy & Our Future | Our Homes & Communities | Cooperation
Effective Activism | Fundraising | National Groups | About & Contact
StrengtheningDemocracyNOW.com
© Copyright 2023 Dennis Church