Democrats ‘rigging’ Puerto Rico path to statehood?

Chelsea Schilling

4/28/2010

A move is afoot to grant statehood to Puerto Rico, and a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives tomorrow may put the island on a path to becoming the nation’s 51st state.

Democrat Pedro R. Pierluisi, Puerto Rico’s pro-statehood delegate to Congress and former co-chair of President Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign in Puerto Rico, is sponsor of H.R. 2499, the Puerto Rico Democracy Act. The act has 181 co-sponsors.

“When I introduced this bill, I pledged to undertake every effort to ensure that the people of Puerto Rico finally have the opportunity to express themselves about the island’s political status in a congressionally authorized vote,” Pierluisi said last week. “Like all the battles I have fought in Congress – from the allocation of ARRA funds for Puerto Rico, to the inclusion of the island in the health-care reform legislation – I have not rested for a single moment. Today I am pleased to say that H.R. 2499 will have its day on the House floor, and I am confident that the legislation will be approved overwhelmingly.”

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