[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 195 (Tuesday, November 17, 2020)]
[House]
[Page H5800]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  THE POLITICAL STATUS OF PUERTO RICO

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Florida (Mrs. Murphy) for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. MURPHY of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to discuss the political 
status of Puerto Rico, which is home to more than three million 
American citizens.
  In my home State of Florida, there are now 1.2 million people who 
were born in Puerto Rico or who have Puerto Rican roots. That is more 
than any other State.
  Every month, many Puerto Ricans move to Florida and other States in 
search of a brighter future. The island has been through so much--from 
the economic crisis, to Hurricane Maria, to the earthquakes, to COVID-
19.
  In Florida, we will always welcome these families with open arms, but 
I want them to have more opportunities in Puerto Rico. I don't want 
them to feel like they have no alternative but to leave their beloved 
home.
  In my Orlando district, most of my Puerto Rican constituents have 
family members and friends still living on the island. Because they 
care deeply about Puerto Rico, I care deeply about Puerto Rico.
  But every Member of Congress should care about Puerto Rico because 
Puerto Ricans are our fellow American citizens. We are part of the same 
American family, even though the hard truth is that the United States 
hasn't always treated Puerto Rico very well.
  Our country now has the chance to do right by Puerto Rico.
  That is because on November 3, Puerto Rico held a vote on its 
political status. In a referendum, the people of Puerto Rico were asked 
the following question: ``Should Puerto Rico be admitted immediately 
into the Union as a State?'' Yes or no?
  Even though Puerto Rico has been a U.S. territory since 1898, and the 
island residents have been American citizens since 1917, this was the 
first time the people of Puerto Rico were asked this simple and direct 
question.
  According to the results, over 52 percent of voters, more than 
623,000 people, answered ``yes,'' while nearly 48 percent of voters 
answered ``no.''
  The vote was fair, and the results were clear.
  At this point, it is beyond dispute that a majority of the American 
citizens living in Puerto Rico want the territory to become a State.
  Now, are there people in Puerto Rico who would prefer for the island 
to remain a territory or to become a sovereign nation? Absolutely. And 
that is completely valid and legitimate.
  But when it comes to the political destiny of a place, the views of 
the minority cannot trump or take precedence over the views of the 
majority. That would turn the concept of democracy on its head. Votes 
matter.
  And now that the people of Puerto Rico have spoken, the Federal 
Government must listen. Whether it is the White House or Congress, 
whether it is Democrats or Republicans, we must respect and respond to 
this result.
  To do otherwise would be immoral or undemocratic, beneath the dignity 
of our great Nation.
  Let me be crystal clear on two points so there is no 
misunderstanding.
  First, it is well known that I personally support statehood because I 
think it will provide the people of Puerto Rico with democracy and 
equality and political power and a better quality of life. They do not 
have these things right now and they deserve to have them.
  By the way, I am an immigrant and a refugee. I grew up in Virginia 
speaking Vietnamese with my parents. One of the main reasons I love 
America is because it is a mix of people from different cultures with 
different traditions who speak different languages. I reject the notion 
that statehood would weaken Puerto Rico's beautiful culture or its 
proud traditions or affect the island's use of the Spanish language.
  Having said all this, even though I personally favor statehood, it is 
not my place to substitute my views for the views of the people of 
Puerto Rico.
  If they wished to remain a territory or become a nation, I would 
honor that wish.
  However, the majority of voters have chosen statehood, and so I 
intend to respect that choice.
  Finally, let me say this: I am a Democrat, but my support for 
statehood has nothing to do with any prediction about whether Puerto 
Rico would be a blue State or a red State. History teaches us that such 
predictions tend to be wrong, and I personally think Puerto Rico would 
be a swing State that elects both Democrats and Republicans.
  However, I would support statehood for Puerto Rico if it were as 
Republican as Wyoming or as Democratic as Vermont. To oppose statehood 
because you fear the people will not vote the way you want them to vote 
violates the most basic principles of justice and democracy, and I have 
zero patience for that.
  In the coming weeks, I will work with Puerto Rico's governor-elect, 
resident commissioner, and legislative assembly, with the incoming 
Biden administration, and with my congressional colleagues on both 
sides of the aisle to determine the best path forward.
  I cannot promise a particular result, but I can promise I will never 
stop fighting for equality for the American citizens of Puerto Rico.

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