Puerto Rico Governor Pedro Pierluisi told Axios on HBO that “Congress is morally obligated to respond” to the island’s recent vote in support of the state, and said that it expects a bill to be presented to the House in mid-March.
Why does it matter: Although the existence of a state has been discussed for years, advocates say it is more likely now because Democrats control the House, the Senate and the White House – and because President Biden publicly supported it.
- Pierluisi campaigned for the creation of a state for Puerto Rico, along with other issues, such as keeping the coronavirus pandemic under control and lifting US territory out of its financial crisis.
What is he saying: Although the vote to create a state was narrow (52% support against 47% against), the governor told Axios on HBO that it is the best way for Puerto Ricans to receive equal treatment with American citizens.
- “We need a game changer in Puerto Rico. And a game changer would be to receive equal treatment in the main federal programs,” said Pierluisi, citing programs like Medicaid and Earned Income Tax Credit, which are not available to anyone living in the US territory.
- People living in Puerto Rico do not have full Congressional representatives and cannot vote for the President of the United States.
- “The state is not a panacea,” said Pierluisi. “Of course we have to do better. But there is no doubt that having two senators and four representatives in Congress defending us when necessary would make a difference.”
Reality check: Congress is not obliged to address the issue of creating a state for Puerto Rico.
- And former President Trump’s accusations of corruption 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 that Trump’s concerns about Puerto Rico’s corruption were overstated, his argument as to why the US should accept this is simple: “The US may be expanding by admitting Puerto Rico into the union. It would be telling the world that it is embracing diversity because this would be a truly, completely Hispanic state. “
The other side: Those who are against the state, instead, advocate independence or self-determination, as proposed last year in a bill by MPs Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Nina Velazquez, both Puerto Rican Democratic representatives of New York.
- And some Republicans argue that they believe that all Puerto Rico representatives in Congress would be Democrats if they were admitted as the 51st state.
- Pierluisi says he believes Puerto Rico would be an undecided state with a “mixed” parliamentary delegation, although “it was probably a Democrat”.
- While defenders of the State of Puerto Rico believe that now is their best chance to achieve it, 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 totally for DC status,” said Pierluisi. “So I just want the star [on the American flag]. I don’t care about the number. As long as it happens and it happens soon, I will be more than satisfied. “
Go deeper … State of Puerto Rico: what you need to know