Only one bill, S.5845, was introduced in the Senate during the 63rd Congress. This organic act treated Puerto Rico as a territory for purposes of the legislation.
Only one bill was introduced in the 98th Congress. This bill, H.J. Res. 232 provided for the creation of a constituent assembly tasked with decolonizing Puerto Rico through independence or some form of alternative free association. The 98th Congress did not enact any status changing legislation for Puerto Rico.
Two organic act bills were introduced during the 68th Congress. S. 913 and H.R. 3910 were organic acts that treated Puerto Rico like an incorporated territory. Lawmakers during the 68th Congress did not enact any legislation changing Puerto Rico’s territorial status.
Two status bills were introduced in the 97th Congress. One bill H.J. Res 215 for the creation of a constituent assembly tasked with decolonizing Puerto Rico through independence or some form of alternative free association. The other bill, H. Res 585, provided for statehood. The 97th Congress did not enact any status changing legislation for Puerto Rico.
Only one status bill was introduced in the 77th Congress, H.R. 7352. It was an organic act, with a provision for a greater degree of self-government. The 77th Congress did not enact any status changing legislation for Puerto Rico.
Five bills were introduced in the 79th Congress. Three bills, S. 227, H.R. 2781 and S. 1485 were status bills providing for either independence or statehood for Puerto Rico. Alternative, two companion bills, S. 1002/H.R. 3237, provided for a plebiscite with multiple status options. It is important to highlight that the so-called Tydings-Piñero Bill (S. 1002/H.R. 3237) provided one of the more comprehensive status legislation of this history and offered viable alternatives to the status quo. The 79th Congress did not enact any status changing legislation for Puerto Rico.
Four bills were introduced in the 80th Congress. All of the bills included a provision for independence, S. 1158, H.R. 4404, H.R. 7111, and H.R. 7136. The 80th Congress did not enact any status changing legislation for Puerto Rico.
Three status bills were introduced in the 95th Congress. Two bills, H.J. Res 54 and H.J. Res 367 provided for independence. One bill, H.R. 2201 included a provision for statehood. The 95th Congress did not enact any legislation changing Puerto Rico’s political status.
Four bills were introduced in the 94th Congress. Three bills, H.R. 11200, H.R. 11201, and S.J. Res 215 were amendments providing for the enhancement of the Puerto Rican Commonwealth. The remaining bill H.J. Res 1010, is a status bill with a provision for independence. The 94th Congress did not enact any status changing legislation for Puerto Rico.
Two bills were introduced in the 91st Congress. One status bill H.R. 499 provided for the admission of Puerto Rico as a state. The other bill, H.R. 2699, was a referendum bill on statehood. The 91st Congress did not enact any status changing legislation for Puerto Rico.