Puerto Rico governor: "Congress is morally obligated to respond" to island's statehood vote

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Source: Axios

Puerto Rico Gov. Pedro Pierluisi told "Axios on HBO" that "Congress is morally obligated to respond" to the island's recent vote in support of statehood, and said he expects a bill to be introduced in the House by mid-March.

Why it matters: Although statehood has been discussed for years, advocates say it is more likely now because Democrats control the House, Senate and White House — and because President Biden has publicly supported it.

Pierluisi campaigned on statehood for Puerto Rico along with other issues, like getting the coronavirus pandemic under control and lifting the U.S. territory out of its financial crisis.

What he's saying: While the vote for statehood was a narrow one (52% support to 47% against), the governor told "Axios on HBO" it's the best way for Puerto Ricans to receive equal treatment as Americans citizens.

Read more: https://www.yahoo.com/news/puerto-rico-governor-congress-morally-231623819.html

[magicarpet]

1. Puerto Rico yes,... what about Washington DC.

The Ds could sure use the + 4 senator slots.

[TomSlick]

2. I wish I had confidence that a majority in Congress are aware of the concept of moral obligation.

I am curious that only 52% of the population favors statehood.

[RVN VET71]

8. That 47% isn't unitary.

Some still want independence, others want the status quo, others want something in-between -- more autonomy without incorporation into the Union -- still others, I’m sure, are understandably suspicious of any political change and fear that there are “hidden traps” in statehood.

But the vote stands. Most of those who voted want in. I say let’s do that quickly and without delay. As Admiral Farragut might say “Damn the Republicans and full speed ahead!”

(Come to think of it, the GOP bears a certain similarity to and compatibility with the Confederates that Farragut was crushing in Mobile Bay.)

[electric_blue68]

13. I was just thinking about the breakdown as I read the header.

I hadn't realized they had done another vote again.

Since I was thinking more along of the lines of the vote as

•Statehood
•Independence
•As Is

And now you're have laid out the 47% breakdown for us.
Fascinating. It'd be cool. My feeling is I welcome what
ever the majority of the people want.
Since I live in NYC/Nueva York, and know, known many
Nurorycans. 👍

[pecosbob]

3. This only requires straight majority votes from the House and Senate plus a presidential signature

DC statehood has all sorts of obstacles to overcome. I see this as a no-brainer as long as Schumer can circumvent any GOP filibuster.

[AnnaLee]

4. Puerto Rico, yes

They are so much a part of the fabric of this country. If they desire statehood, it is a no brainer. WELCOME!

[Normanart]

5. Donʻt forget

Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa. Thatʻs another 6 senators.

[ck4829]

6. K&R

[SunSeeker]

7. YES!!

[BumRushDaShow]

9. Just as a note - their current Delegate is a Republican

so don't assume that this is a slam-dunk for 2 Democratic Senators.

This was one of the realities dangled not long ago as an incentive for Republicans in Congress to go along with D.C. statehood as part of a potential "pair of states" (when the GOP was controlling at least one chamber) - not unlike what was dangled in the '50s for Alaska (GOP-leaning) and Hawai'i (Democratic-leaning).

[malthaussen]

10. There's something fundamentally flawed about such "pair" bargains...

... which have happened frequently in US history. Apologists would say they are a brilliant compromise that satisfies all parties, critics might say they perpetuate a divide which is apparently irreconcilable. One wonders how long the Legislature can keep kicking that can down the road, or if we are now paying the price of 200-odd years of indecision about just what kind of country we are.

-- Mal

[BumRushDaShow]

11. It's sortof

"Politics 101", although it's a feature for any type of situation that might involve "negotiations".

I know years ago I had multiple training courses dealing with "negotiating" (and early in my career used to be a Union Steward, Union VP, and eventually the Union President of our AFGE local and participated in contract negotiations). It's one of those things that came with the territory and is actually featured in everyday life ("bargaining" in a literal or figurative sense).

In many cases, a situation might present itself and if you are "at the right place at the right time", then you can often get "most" (not all) of what you want. But you have to continually re-evaluate your priorities at the time.

[Cosmocat]

12. YEP

nm

[EndlessWire]

14. I'm not going to pretend

that I understand completely the "another Republican" angle; and, I have to admit, the devil in me likes the idea of pissing some people off, but if PR wants in, let them in!

They are still over there (remember, by golly, they have an ocean around them) and they can remain independent in a new and different way. Meanwhile, they could recover economically.

Get out your sharpies, and get ready for PR to join us! We need to vaccinate them, anyway. Get ready! They're gonna throw paper towels at us! We need them!