Puerto Rico Self-Determination Act of 2021
- Last Action
- 6/16/2021
Actions
- 2021-06-16Committee Hearings Held.
- 2021-04-14Committee Hearings Held.
- 2021-03-18Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2021-03-18Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2021-03-18Introduced in House
- 2021-03-18Introduced in House
CRS Summary
As of 2021-03-18 (00)
Puerto Rico Self-Determination Act of 2021
This bill establishes a process for the people of Puerto Rico to vote on the political status (e.g., statehood) of the territory. Congress may ratify the decision through a joint resolution.
The bill declares that the legislature of Puerto Rico has the authority to call a status convention regarding the political status of the territory.
The bill provides for public financing of delegate elections to the status convention and establishes a Congressional Bilateral Negotiating Commission to provide advice and consultation to delegates of the status convention.
The status convention must provide self-determination options for a referendum of the people of Puerto Rico. Ranked-choice voting is a permitted format for the referendum. Delegates shall carry out an educational campaign through traditional paid media related to the referendum.
The bill provides for congressional consideration of a joint resolution to ratify the self-determination option selected through the referendum.
Cosponsors (20)
- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY)
- MAXINE WATERS (D-CA)
- Robert Scott (D-VA)
- CAROLYN MALONEY (D-NY)
- David Scott (D-GA)
- JAMES MCGOVERN (D-MA)
- Mark Takano (D-CA)
- JERROLD NADLER (D-NY)
- RICHARD NEAL (D-MA)
- GREGORY MEEKS (D-NY)
- ADAM SCHIFF (D-CA)
- Raul Ruiz (D-CA)
- Thomas Suozzi (D-NY)
- Adriano Espaillat (D-NY)
- Al Green (D-TX)
- Ayanna Pressley (D-MA)
- BENNIE THOMPSON (D-MS)
- Pramila Jayapal (D-WA)
- Yvette Clarke (D-NY)
- Grace Meng (D-NY)
Subjects
- Advisory bodies
- Caribbean area
- Congressional oversight
- Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
- Government information and archives
- Government trust funds
- Legislative rules and procedure
- Political representation
- Puerto Rico
- Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
- State and local government operations
- U.S. territories and protectorates
Sourced from Congress.gov (public domain).
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.