H.R. 1522 (Puerto Rico Statehood Admission Act) text is up

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

The Senate isn't gonna pass this

[Former President tack50]

Considering it is a 3 way referendum that asks for a majority vote, I wonder what happens in case there is a plurality. Something like say 49% statehood, 46% status quo, 5% independence.

I believe there would be a runoff. And no status quo option, just statehood, independence, or free association.

Hot take: I think omitting the status quo is a good thing. Maintaining a status where Puerto Ricans cannot vote for the government that rules them is quite simply wrong, regardless of whether or not there's a consensus in favor of it, which I doubt there is.

And literally kicking them out of the country despite them not willing that, whether de iure (independence) or de facto (free association) is any better?

[GALeftist]

Considering it is a 3 way referendum that asks for a majority vote, I wonder what happens in case there is a plurality. Something like say 49% statehood, 46% status quo, 5% independence.

I believe there would be a runoff. And no status quo option, just statehood, independence, or free association.

Hot take: I think omitting the status quo is a good thing. Maintaining a status where Puerto Ricans cannot vote for the government that rules them is quite simply wrong, regardless of whether or not there's a consensus in favor of it, which I doubt there is.

And literally kicking them out of the country despite them not willing that, whether de iure (independence) or de facto (free association) is any better?

No, what I'm saying is that the permanent organized incorporated territory status is a rather absurd relic of an overtly colonial past and should not be an option, and that to that end Puerto Rico ought to have a choice between statehood, free association, or independence. I have heard compelling arguments in favor of each option; since I'm not Puerto Rican, I don't think it's my place to opine on which is best for them. However, I do think I can at least say that the ostensible reasons for Puerto Rico's current status are addressed better than the status quo by one or many of these options.

[7,052,770]

Also keep in mind that Puerto Rico's representative in Congress is the main driver of this, and it has the support of Puerto Rico's governor, so it's not a situation of non-PR Americans deciding something on behalf of Puerto Rico for their own benefit at the expense of Puerto Ricans'.