2022: Fitzpatrick Voted To Require Puerto Rico State Elections
Commission To Hold A Referendum, Which Would Determine Puerto Rico's
Status As An Independent Sovereign Nation, A Sovereign Nation In Free
Association With The United States, Or A U.S. State. In December 2022,
according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the Puerto
Rico Status Act, which would "require the Puerto Rico State Elections
Commission to hold a plebiscite on Nov. 5, 2023, to determine the
political status of Puerto Rico and establish transitional procedures
based on the vote outcome. It would require a majority vote to approve
Puerto Rico's status as an independent sovereign nation, a sovereign
nation in free association with the United States or a U.S. state. If no
status receives a majority of votes, it would require a runoff election
on March 3, 2024. The bill would establish procedures for the Justice
Department to review ballot design and voter education materials for the
plebiscite and authorize such sums as necessary for the Puerto Rico
elections commission to carry out a voter education campaign on how each
outcome would impact international representation, citizenship and
immigration, and treatment under U.S. federal law and programs. In the
case of statehood, the bill would require the U.S. president, upon
receiving the plebiscite results, to issue a proclamation admitting
Puerto Rico to the Union as a state, effective within one year. It would
specify that the current constitution of Puerto Rico would be its state
constitution, and all territorial laws would continue until amended or
repealed by the state. It would provide for Puerto Rico to elect two
senators and the same number of House members as the state with the
census population closest to, but less than, that of Puerto Rico,
temporarily increasing total House membership until the next
census-based reapportionment cycle. In the case of independence or free
association, the bill would require the election of delegates to a
constitutional convention within six months of the election's
certification; a vote on ratification of the constitution within one
year of the convention; and an election for officers of the new nation
within one month of ratification. It would require the U.S. president to
establish a joint transition commission tasked with transferring
government functions to the Puerto Rican government and, within one
month of Puerto Rico's election of officers, issue a proclamation to
surrender U.S. control over Puerto Rico. In the case of free
association, the bill would also require the establishment of a
bilateral negotiating commission to expedite the transfer of federal
functions and negotiate the government-to-government relationship
between the two nations under articles of free association, which may
subsequently be terminated by either party at will. The bill would allow
benefits available to current Puerto Rico residents, such as Social
Security and veterans' benefits, to be administered through the Puerto
Rican government until such benefits are extinguished. It would specify
that current U.S. citizens would not lose citizenship as a result of the
plebiscite or obtaining Puerto Rican citizenship, but individuals born
in Puerto Rico to a parent who became a U.S. citizen under previous law
that made Puerto Rican residents citizens would not become U.S. citizens
at birth, other than during a transition period under the articles of
free association. It would allow Puerto Rican citizens who are not U.S.
citizens to enter, work and establish residence in the United States as
nonimmigrants without obtaining a visa for a 25-year transition period
following Puerto Rican independence or as long as the two countries
remain in free association." The vote was on a passage. The House passed
the bill by a vote of 233 -- 191. The Senate took no action on the
legislation. [House Vote 529,
12/15/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/15/22;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
8393]
The Bill Established Procedures For The Justice Department To
Review Ballot Design And Voter Education Materials For The
Referendum And Authorized The Necessary Funds For Puerto Rico's
Elections Commission To Carry Out The Voter Education Campaign.
According to Congressional Quarterly, "The bill would establish
procedures for the Justice Department to review ballot design and
voter education materials for the plebiscite and authorize such sums
as necessary for the Puerto Rico elections commission to carry out a
voter education campaign on how each outcome would impact
international representation, citizenship and immigration, and
treatment under U.S. federal law and programs." [Congressional
Quarterly,
12/15/22]
The Bill Would Have Given Puerto Ricans The Ability To Determine
The Island's Future Relationship With The U.S., Including Whether To
Become An Official U.S. State. According to Congressional
Quarterly, "The House has passed legislation that would let voters
in Puerto Rico determine the island territory's future relationship
with the United States, including whether to become a state."
[Congressional Quarterly,
12/15/22]
The Bill Would Have Provided Three Outcomes For A Plebiscite,
Would Have Directed The President To Help Implement The Outcome, And
Would Have Allowed Puerto Rico To Become Independent Or Join The
U.S. As A State Without Further Congressional Action. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "The bill proposes three choices for a
plebiscite, and it would direct the president to take action to help
implement whatever option secures a majority vote in support, either
during a regular election or a runoff. In effect, Puerto Rico could
become a state or move toward independence without further action by
Congress if the measure became law." [Congressional Quarterly,
12/15/22]
Republicans Expressed Concerns With Transferring Military Bases
Back To The U.S. If Puerto Rico Were To Become Independent And The
Potential Taxpayer Burden To Pay Back Relief Funds Given To Puerto
Rico During Natural Disasters. According to Congressional
Quarterly, "Republicans withholding their support for the measure
have cited complications with transferring military bases back to
the United States should the island become sovereign or independent,
and the potential burden on taxpayers to pay back relief funds given
to the island during natural disasters. They have also taken issue
with the lack of a fiscal impact score from the Congressional Budget
Office." [Congressional Quarterly,
12/15/22]
2022: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted Against The Puerto Rico Status
Act, Which Would Have Allowed Puerto Rico To Hold A Referendum To
Determine Puerto Rico's Future As A Sovereign Nation Or A U.S. State.
In December 2022, according to Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick
voted for the "motion to recommit the Puerto Rico Status Act (HR 8393)
to the House Natural Resources Committee." The vote was on a motion to
recommit. The House rejected the motion by a vote of 209 -- 217. [House
Vote 528, 12/15/22;
Congressional Quarterly,
12/15/22; Congressional
Actions, H.R.
8393]
2022: Fitzpatrick Effectively Voted Against The Puerto Rico Status
Act, Which Would Have Allowed Puerto Rico To Hold A Referendum To
Determine Puerto Rico's Future As A Sovereign Nation Or A U.S. State.
In December 2022, according to the Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick
voted against the "adoption of the rule (H Res 1519) that would provide
for House floor consideration of the Puerto Rico Status Act (HR 8393).
The rule would provide for up to one hour of debate on the bill." The
vote was on the adoption of the rule. The House adopted the rule by a
vote of 217 -- 201. [House Vote 527,
12/15/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/15/22;
Congressional Actions, H.Res.
1519;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
8393]