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The Administration strongly supports House passage of the Resources
Committee substitute to H.R. 856 which would provide a three-stage process
for determining the ultimate political status of the Commonwealth of
Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico's future status is the fundamental issue concerning the
islands' 3.75 million residents and a pivotal question in determining many
Federal and insular economic and social policies. The islands exercise
governing authority similar to that of a State under the jointly
established Commonwealth arrangement. The Federal Government has broad
governing authority in the islands, but their residents are represented in
it only by a Resident Commissioner -- who is limited to voting in House
committees.
Many Presidents, a commission established by law, and the House (in 1990
with overwhelming support) have held Puerto Rico's options to include
statehood and independence, as well as Commonwealth. The Congress in 1979
and several Administrations have committed to support a Puerto Rican status
choice, and have repeatedly conveyed that commitment to international
questioners of Puerto Rico's status.
Because Puerto Ricans cannot unilaterally determine what their relationship
with the United States will be, they have petitioned for years for
legislation that would provide options and for implementation of their
choice. The President is committed to establishing such a process, and
supporting a majority choice among all of the various, long-discussed
options.
The committee substitute would provide for a referendum in which voters
would choose from among three options: (1) retain Puerto Rico's current
status; (2) full self-government through independence or free association;
or (3) full self-government through statehood. If voters select the
continuation of commonwealth status, the substitute provides for
consideration of Puerto Rican economic and social development proposals
within its current status. If voters approve full self-government through
either independence or statehood, the President would be required to submit
to the Congress a legislative transition plan, and, if approved by the
Congress and Puerto Ricans, a joint resolution on implementation, which
would also require both Congressional and Puerto Rican approval. While
most of the Administration's concerns with the Committee-reported bill have
been addressed in the substitute, the Administration intends to work for
further improvements in the Senate.
The Administration objected when the original bill effectively eliminated
Commonwealth an option and called for an option based on a proposal of
Puerto Rico's Commonwealth party.
The Administration will similarly strongly oppose amendments that would
effectively bar statehood as an option based on the islands' Hispanic
culture. Puerto Rico's people have been citizens for 80 years; their
culture is an asset to our country. To exclude them from full voting
rights and responsibilities, if they so choose, would be wrong.
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