On September 17, 1998, during the 2nd Session of the 105th Congress, Democrat Representative Robert Torricelli of New Jersey (D-NJ) introduced S.Res. 279 in the House Committee on Natural Resources. This resolution expressed the Senate’s support of the right of U.S. citizens in Puerto Rico toe express their desires for the future political status of Puerto Rico.
On April 12, 1983, during the 1st Session of the 98th Congress, Democrat Representative Roland V. Dellums of California (D-CA) introduced H.J.Res. 232 in the House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs. The resolution affirmed the right to self-determination and the decolonization of Puerto Rico.
On May 15, 1945, during the 1st Session of the 79th Congress, Democrat Senator Millard E. Tydings of Maryland (D-MD) introduced S. 1002 in the Senate Committee on Territories and Insular Affairs. This bill accompanied H.R. 3237 and was known as the Tydings-Piñero Bill. The bill called for a status plebiscite in Puerto Rico.
The Foraker Act of 1900 was enacted on April 12, 1900, during the 1st Session of the 56th Congress.
This was the first organic act providing a civil government for Puerto Rico. This organic act initially
treated Puerto Rico as a foreign territorial possession for tariff purposes. This act was subsequently
amended on multiple occasions and presently remains as the Puerto Rico Federal Relations Act.
On April 30, 1963, during the 1st Session of the 88th Congress, Republican Representative John H. Kyl of Iowa (R-IA) introduced H.R. 5947 in the House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs. This bill sought to create a Commission on the Status of Puerto Rico to establish a procedure for the prompt settlement, in a democratic manner, of the political status of Puerto Rico.
On February 12, 2014, during the 2nd Session of the 113th Congress, Democrat Senator Martin Heinrich from New Mexico (D-NM) introduced S. 2020 (accompanied by S. 2000 in the House) in the House Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. This status bill set forth a process for Puerto Rico to be admitted as a state of the Union.
On July 1, 1976, during the 2nd Session of the 94th Congress, Democrat Representative Roland V. Dellums of California (D-CA) introduced H.J. Res. 1010 in the House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs. This status bill provided for the independence of Puerto Rico.
Public Law 82-447 was enacted on July 3, 1952, during the 2nd Session of the 82nd Congress. Public Law 82-447 authorized the approval of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The Commonwealth Constitution did not change Puerto Rico’s constitutional status. Puerto Rico remained an unincorporated territory.
During the 1st Session of the 74th Congress, on January 3, 1935, Democrat and Socialist member of the conservative Coalición, Resident Commissioner Santiago Iglesias of Puerto Rico (D/Coalición-PR) introduced H.R. 1393 in the House Committee on the Territories. The Organic Act amended the Jones Act of 1917 enabling Puerto Rican electors to form a territorial constitution and subsequent statehood.
On May 5, 1993, during the 1st Session of the 103rd Congress, Democrat Representative José E. Serrano of New York (D-NY) introduced H.Con.Res. 94 in the House Committees on Foreign Affairs and Natural Resources. This resolution affirmed Puerto Rico’s right to self-determination.
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