Rep. Cory Mills, a Republican Congressman from Florida, became the 100th cosponsor of the Puerto Rico Status Act. “I am honored to support the Puerto Rico Status Act as the 100th co-sponsor of HR 2757, which upholds the right of U.S. citizens in Puerto Rico to participate in a self-determination process,” Mills posted on X. “I am committed to this bill and look forward to supporting the choice of the Puerto Rican people. There has been a strong historic bond between Puerto Rico and the United States. The bottom line is that Puerto Ricans serve in the U.S. military, they deserve at least the option of statehood. ”

What is the Puerto Rico Status Act?

This legislation, which is currently under consideration in both the House and the Senate, gives Puerto Rico voters a choice among statehood, independence, and free association (independence with a Compact of Free Association with the United States). It provides for a federally-sponsored status vote and requires Congress to agree to take action on the vote, which previous plebiscites have not required.

Congress will need to agree to the options as written in the bill or to amend them until they are willing to implement all the options given to voters. In previous status votes, Congress has allowed options which they were not willing to implements, such as “enhanced commonwealth.” Congress also has also ignored the vote and its results, taking no action. The Puerto Rico Status Act will not allow this possibility.

The ballot for the November 5, 2024 vote will offer the same options as the PRSA.

The Puerto Rico Status Act passed the House in 2022, when it had just 63 cosponsors. It passed in December and did not have time to goo to the Senate. This year, it could pass both houses in time to see the historic decolonization of Puerto Rico in 2024.

Who is Cory Mills?

Mills is a House Armed Services & Foreign Affairs Committee Member, and is himself a decorated veteran. He is a businessman in the security industry, and was appointed by President Trump to the Pentagon as a Department of Defense advisor. He is known for his conservative political positions.

His support for the Puerto Rico Status Act gives the lie to frequent claims that Republicans will not support statehood for Puerto Rico, showing once again that admitting Puerto Rico to the Union is a bipartisan effort.

 

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