FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 3, 2022
Contact: Comms@prstatehoodcouncil.org
Washington, D.C. – This week, Puerto Rico Governor Pedro R. Pierluisi called on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee to act on Puerto Rico’s recent plebiscite in support of statehood during a hearing examining the state of U.S. territories.
“One hundred and twenty four years of unequal treatment towards the American citizens living in Puerto Rico have taken a toll on our society. And it is important to realize that even after the successful restructuring of our public finances and the rebuilding of our infrastructure, Puerto Rico will remain hindered until our century-long status question is resolved. The people of Puerto Rico voted and chose permanent union with the United States through statehood as their path forward. So many Puerto Ricans have defended American democratic values at home and abroad that lack of representation and voting rights, as well as congressional inaction, are unacceptable.” – Hon. Pedro R. Pierluisi, Governor of Puerto Rico
“We have a current system where an American citizen on the mainland is treated differently than an American citizen in a territory.” – Senator Martin Heinrich, sponsor of the Puerto Rico Statehood Admissions Act (Senate Bill 780)
Also, ICYMI in Newsweek: Democrats Fighting for Voting Rights Must Include U.S. Citizens in Puerto Rico
“Simply put, one of the most important ways that Congress can expand voting rights in America today is to respect the will of most voters in Puerto Rico who have already requested full equality and democracy through statehood. The right to vote is sacred in American democracy. That is exactly why the president and all Democratic leaders in Congress should acknowledge the legitimate call for equal rights for the U.S. citizens of Puerto Rico, and to support and join the ongoing legislative efforts happening in the House.” – George Laws Garcia, executive director of the Puerto Rico Statehood Council.
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The Puerto Rico Statehood Council is a Washington, D.C. based, non-partisan, 501(c)4 non-profit issue advocacy organization. We are dedicated to advancing the goal of equality for the U.S. citizens of Puerto Rico through statehood.