On Thursday, April 29th, Congress will take up a piece of legislation, HR 2499. The bill, while non-binding, will require Puerto Rico to hold an election on a referendum asking it’s citizens, “Do you want to maintain the status quo?” Notice that it does not mention statehood? Yes, Congressional Democrats and the Obama Administration are trying to pull another fast one.
In the past 40 years, Puerto Rico has voted three times on the question of becoming a state. Each time they voted it down. In 1998, voters were given four choices, A) statehood, B) sovereignty, C) modified commonwealth or D) None of the above. Option D got the majority. In 1967 and 1993, only options A, B and C were on the ballots. The options of independence or a modified commonwealth usually get only about 3% of the vote in 1998. Statehood got 46.6% and 46.7% in 1993 and 1998, only 39% in 1967.
The current drive is being pushed by the Democrats to placate to the Latino voters. Much like the new law in Arizona, which only requires police to contact Immigration officials for those subjects who have neither a valid U.S. ID or visa during routine traffic stops and arrests, Democrats are attempting to muddy the waters. If Puerto Rico does vote NO on the referendum detailed in HR2499, the next step would be to elect six representatives and two senators. A further vote for statehood may not necessarily be needed, thanks to the “Tennessee Plan”.
Tennessee, and later Alaska, entered the union by electing members for the House and Senate without applying to Congress for statehood. The elected officials just went to Washington, D.C. and demanded to be seated, and they were! In June of 2009, the United Nations Committee on Decolonization drafted a resolution calling for the United States to enact a process to change the current status of Puerto Rico. The Natural Resources Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives voted 30-8 in July, 2009 and passed HR 2499 – The Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2009. If the citizens of Puerto Rico like their tax-free status and vote Yes on the referendum, HR2499 requires subsequent votes every eight years. I guess the Democrats want mandatory votes until they get it right!
Is there a connection between this move by Democrats to pass HR 2499 now and set the stage of Puerto Rico to become a state and the recent anti-illegal alien law passed in Arizona? A similar bill, called HR 900 The Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2007, failed to pass in the Congress. That bill called for a referendum with the options of statehood, independence or an associated republic. Obviously, the Hispanic vote is a hot potato right now and with the Arizona law causing so much fervor, Democrats have pushed the bill front and center to take advantage of the situation.
April 28th, 2010 at 4:58 pm
I keep seeing the same words, written out by the same group of people. Over and over again.
First, the HR2499 is NOT a Statehood bill. It was written by Resident Comissioner Pierluisi and co sponsored by Republicans and Democrats alike.
Second, the HR2499 gives the opportunity to 4 million US CITIZENS to finally tell Congress what they want to do. Even though they have been similar processes in the past, Congress has never asked the US citizens living in Puerto Rico about their colonial status.
It is shameful that 4 million US citizens are living as second class citizens, when our government and our troops are going abroad to ensure other countries have their soverignity and are able to protect their citizens and their rights.
The citizens living in Puerto Rico need to be able to end their colonial status. Yes, statehood seems like the most obvious way, because after all, LIKE IT or not, they are US citizens who have laid their lives for our country. But there is also two other alternatives, Independence and becoming a sovereign country who would work in partnership with the US.
That is really what is at the heart of this debate. President Obama’s support for the process is welcomed because after 112 years of existing as a territory, Puerto Rico should be able to decide if they want to remain as they are now, or change their political status. That is the bottom line.
April 28th, 2010 at 5:39 pm
@ Lyn
“Second, the HR2499 gives the opportunity to 4 million US CITIZENS to finally tell Congress what they want to do.”
FINALLY? They’ve had two votes in the 1990s! This is getting as bad as the Quebec separationists. I’m sure if the folks in Puerto Rico were that interested in voting on the subject again, they’d do it without Congress requiring them to.
As for second-class citizen status, I wouldn’t mind not paying Federal taxes. I’d call that a privileged status.
This bill has been sitting on Nancy Pelosi’s desk since July 22, 2009. Why is it now suddenly being voted on tomorrow and why is there hardly any mention of it in the ‘Lame-Street Media’? There’s more out there about Joe Scarborough ‘retooling’ his radio show, which is a joke. He got canceled! His radio show sucks. His TV show on MesSNBC sucks!
The timing of this vote for HR 2499 is just too coincidental for the Democrats and Obama as they play their games about immigration and the new Arizona anti-illegal alien law.
April 28th, 2010 at 6:58 pm
I am Puertorican. Yes, Puerto Rico is a colony. The two votes in the 1990 were non-binding, locally promoted, and very tainted, particularly by the pro-statehood party (New Progressist Party).
I believe that if there was a new referendum, the statehood option (if available) would probably win with around a 50%, although it could be lower because the NPP party is ruling and stealing again. Anyway, we now have a sales tax (7%), and more immigrants (which tend to be pro-statehood), and the economy has been destroyed primarily by the NPP (the other main party, which is pro-status-quo, PDP or Popular Democratic Party is not much better, but not as corrupt as the NPP).
The Congress has always be hesitant to open the door to the statehood to Puerto Rico because it would cost a bundle in Federal funds, plus we would have around 8 reps, and 2 senators of course. And there is the language barrier: over 80% are not proficient in English.
Definitively the Democrat Party is doing this to put the Republicans on the defensive.
April 28th, 2010 at 7:05 pm
Andy: Puertoricans in general are not excited about yet another non-binding referendum, because the local parties can control how they define the different options (statehood, independence, free-association, current status), and we have no assurance that the US will really be willing to honor them. Up to this day, for example, we don’t know if the US would open the door for statehood, or only to the ‘incorporated territory’. Or independence with US citizenship. I guess that, in order to make the process realistic, each part would have to validate what’s grantable and what is not.
April 28th, 2010 at 10:29 pm
Of all the Puerto Ricans I have ever known (I have never been there, I live in Florida) and worked with, not a single one has been a Democrat. NOT ONE. Most of them have a hard line hatred of non-American hispanics.
April 28th, 2010 at 10:31 pm
@Eric – I have had much the same experience with Cubans and Venezuelans who came here for sanctuary because of political persecution when their countries were taken over by despot dictators.
April 29th, 2010 at 1:56 am
[...] Democrats push vote on HR 2499 to make Puerto Rico 51st State Right Pundits – Apr 28th – 20:23 [...]
April 29th, 2010 at 5:13 am
There is a major misunderstanding of the situation here. It is the conservatives in Puerto Rico who are pushing this vote. Don’t be fooled by the “progressive” in the party’s name. They are bonafide conservatives, the vast majority of whom are US registered republicans. Though I agree democrats could use the issue to cause confusion and chaos; the Puerto Rican question here is 100% in another category than the immigration issues in Arizona.
April 29th, 2010 at 5:34 am
Eric: You might be partially right. Puerto Rico is a land of contradictions, so it is not easy to explain. Even the current status is like that. What you call ‘commonwealth’, we call it in Spanish ‘Estado Libre Asociado’, or ‘Free-Associated-State’. What the heck is that? A colony, but perfumed…
Let me go a bit deeper over your comment#5:
1)We can’t vote for the president, but we vote in the presidential primaries. Democrat voters outnumber republican voters by maybe a factor of 10 to 1.
2)Having said that, our collective values are not as liberal as the Democrats’. Some people believe that we might be closer to the Republicans, but even I don’t know for sure. Maybe true in some aspects (family, work), but not in others (health, cost of education). But culture has been changing a lot lately…
H.A.- comment#8: The NPP (the party that is pushing this project) is not conservative in the sense the word is used here in the US. Even the previous NPP governor (the mega-crook Pedro Rossello) was the president of the Democrat Governor’s organization, whatever that was, I don’t remember well the name. It’s only the current Governor (NPP) that is Republican, but most of the NPP’s local reps and senators are Democrats. Even the Resident Commissioner (NPP) that is pushing the project is a Democrat.
How can they work together? $$$$$$$!!!! In the end, most of them really don’t care about the status (unless it gives them access to more money to steal). The only play the status music every 4 years to have us dancing and voting them in again, so they can keep robbing from the colony’s budget. Maybe, in that sense, it would be good to finally solve the status problem.
April 29th, 2010 at 5:59 am
Lets just hope for all our sake that puerto rico once again for a forth time ( like 3 times wasn’t enough) votes to stay independent. We do not need this escalating into a political battle right now with our contry still in a crucial state . If this is a battle over votes and if they are granted statehood (which don’t forget is the underlying agenda here) then 4 million Us citizens would end up becoming a whole lot of votes for a certain politcal party, but which party? sure there’s a conservative party in puerto rico pushing Hr2499 but its a bi- partsian issue being pushed from both sides of US congress. We havent even agreed on financial reforms and we are about to vote on a bill for puerto rico? There’s some many more important issues right now in america. Lets not also forget that a country with US sovereignty status has differn’t immigration laws then the USA. So does that mean illegal immigrants right now in puerto rico are allowed to vote in a puerto rican election that defines statehood or independence? Can puerto ricans in america vote for a puerto rican election? I agree that if puerto rico really wanted to become the 51st state then they should be allowed to APPLY for statehood status and setup a form of state goverment. This isn’t a bill saying “Hey puerto rico wants to be the 51st state..”NO! its asking if they like there colonial status. If you are dirt poor and tired of struggling and someone comes along and says, ” hey… we have ways of helping you and giving you a better life” wouldn’t you vote for that? why the hell don’t we ask haiti about there current status? does anyone see the flaws here. First it’s puerto rico then its any other US territory and soon any country in poor political and economic status. Again, Im not saying I am against puerto rico and puerto ricans but we have rules and regulations and are tax dollars are paying for congress to help OUR country. I totally agree that this issues is way to coincidental right now with everthing going on.
April 29th, 2010 at 6:17 am
@ Andy -
“There’s more out there about Joe Scarborough ‘retooling’ his radio show, which is a joke. He got canceled! His radio show sucks. His TV show on MesSNBC sucks!”
Actually, they are expanding his show to three hours, which (at least here in New York) means bumping…. wait for it….. Rush Limbaugh. Interesting if true.
April 29th, 2010 at 7:06 am
Can we please stop making this a Democrat and Republican issue, I am Puerto Rican and a proud REPUBLICAN. First off, Puerto Rico is very conservative to the point, where Bush might be considered a liberal on the island. Obama should think again if this is his idea of gaining more votes further more, even if we elect to become a state tomorrow it will take at least 10yrs of transition. In addition, we would not be the drain economically some of you have mentioned. We have ample taxing in Puerto Rico and with a state restructured tax program, we can grow significantly. The real issue is the island has been goverened by all the political agendas in Washington and never has had a vote or been able to provide on opinion on any issue. We are your 4 biggest harbor and connection to central and latin american, we need you as you need us. Yes it has has been voted down, but check the numbers the last 2 votes were evenly split in the middle, no, won at 51% while yes lost 49% and this was 12 yrs ago! The people on the island have to be moved/inspired, giving them the status quo is not the answer, and this vote will start the process for change and deciding once and for all where we will be heading. PLEASE PASS THIS VOTE
April 29th, 2010 at 7:46 am
I’m just worried that if we get more Puerto Ricans on the island it will tip over…wait, that was the Marines on Guam…sorry, back to what you were doing.
April 29th, 2010 at 7:51 am
KPUERTORICO: Hi! I don’t have the numbers, but do you know if any independent body has figured out the economic impact to make Puerto Rico a state?
The tax certainly needs restructuring. Right now the government is the #1 employer, and over 80% of the taxes is used in payroll. I am not sure how to restructure things to pay for Federal taxes, unless the Fed sends more money to PR, or we increase the taxes, or decrease payroll. That’s going to be a tougher sale than the Law 7 implementation.
About being the connection to central/latin american, Florida has been fighting hard to become just that. Any info on who’s ahead?
April 29th, 2010 at 11:57 am
Isn’t this just another symbolic issue to put Hispanics further into the democratic camp? If true, the dems can kill it someplace in a committee and blame republican obstructionism. Like someone commented earlier,if they wanted statehood, the first step might be to agree to pay fed income taxes.
April 29th, 2010 at 12:44 pm
To all of those commenting about this topic,here’s some information for those claiming that Puerto Rico doesn’t pay taxes, this is directly from the IRS: Topic 903 – Federal Employment Tax in Puerto Rico
Employers in Puerto Rico are subject to the taxes imposed by the Federal Income Contribution Act (FICA) (Social Security and Medicare taxes) and the Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA). An employer is a person or organization for whom a worker performs services as an employee. As an employer you are required to withhold, report, and pay employment taxes. U.S. citizens who are bona fide residents of Puerto Rico during the tax year and who receive income from sources outside Puerto Rico and/or receive income as a civilian or military employee of the U.S. Government in Puerto Rico, must file a U.S. tax return. Income received from Puerto Rico sources is not subject to U.S. income tax. Because some income is exempt, a part of the itemized deductions or a part of the standard deduction on the return must be allocated to that exempt income.
The Puerto Rico certification path is comprised of two levels which cover specific tax law as it applies to Puerto Rico residents who must file a U.S. Income Tax Return. U.S. citizens living in Puerto Rico may have to file a U.S. income tax return.
Income earned from Puerto Rican sources is exempt from U.S. income tax under section 933 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.
§ 933. Income from sources within Puerto Rico
The following items shall not be included in gross income and shall be exempt from taxation under this subtitle:
(1) Resident of Puerto Rico for entire taxable year
In the case of an individual who is a bona fide resident of Puerto Rico during the entire taxable year, income derived from sources within Puerto Rico (except amounts received for services performed as an employee of the United States or any agency thereof); but such individual shall not be allowed as a deduction from his gross income any deductions (other than the deduction under section 151, relating to personal exemptions), or any credit, properly allocable to or chargeable against amounts excluded from gross income under this paragraph.
(2) Taxable year of change of residence from Puerto Rico
In the case of an individual citizen of the United States who has been a bona fide resident of Puerto Rico for a period of at least 2 years before the date on which he changes his residence from Puerto Rico, income derived from sources therein (except amounts received for services performed as an employee of the United States or any agency thereof) which is attributable to that part of such period of Puerto Rican residence before such date; but such individual shall not be allowed as a deduction from his gross income any deductions (other than the deduction for personal exemptions under section or any credit, properly allocable to or chargeable against amounts excluded from gross income under this paragraph.
So, for those who make the claim that, people of Puerto Rico just receive benefits without paying taxes is obviously ignorant to the whole picture that concers Puerto Rico and its US Citizens that for over 112 years have been used. Remember, Puerto Rico was invaded by the US right at the moment when the Spanish crown and its parliamient had approved its autonomy. Even though we have been treated like 2nd class citizens, we have served this country more than any other state per capita. As a Captain in the Marine Corps, it makes me sad to see so much disdain by the very same people I have served now for 12 years. After three tours of duty between Afghanistan and Iraq, none of the citizen of neither country made me feels so unwanted.
April 29th, 2010 at 1:26 pm
I would love to have P.R. as our 51st State if that is what they want. they deserve to have people to represent then in the Senate and house like the rest of The U.S. But it is up to them. I don’t want o lose Puerto Rico as part of The U.S. and they should have the same benefits as the rest of us. Of course who wants to have some of the things we are getting!!
April 29th, 2010 at 2:55 pm
The Dems are doing this to stay in power. Most Americans are not happy with the Dems right now. The Dems need the extra seats in the house and senate and they assume the latin vote will be theirs.
April 29th, 2010 at 5:24 pm
Hey, it is about time. We are tired of living as second-class citizens. We die for our country, pay taxes, yet we cannot vote for the President of the U.S. nor do we have voting representation in Congress. We have been citizens since 1917, we are 4 million strong, and are proud to be Americans. I cannot see how this vote has anything to do with the issue in Arizona. We are not Mexicans. I know my people will vote for statehood this time around. It’s a new generation out here now. The older folks have passed on. We are better educated now. We have many resources, a national forest, one of the biggest telescopes known to man, and we want in!
April 29th, 2010 at 6:29 pm
The project was just approved by the House.
April 29th, 2010 at 9:48 pm
What the…?
NO!!!
Do Americans have a say in this? Wtf are they doing to the country? That is absolutely insane. The US does not need anymore people.
April 30th, 2010 at 4:10 pm
I just don’t get it. Rome is burning and Nobody cares. Ading puerto rico as a state right now will be adding to our deficit and that is not good right now.
May 2nd, 2010 at 5:26 pm
If Puerto Rico wants statehood, the impetus for the effort should come from within Puerto Rico, not from Washington. And, the vote language should be clear and simple: Yes – for statehood; No – against statehood.
Unfortunately, this effort is being driven by Washinton and the proposed vote language is meant to trap the unsuspecting Puerto Rican public.