On September 15, 1982, during the 2nd Session of the 97th Congress, Democrat Representative Donald A. Bailey of Pennsylvania (D-PA) introduced H.Res. 585 in the House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs. The resolution established that any statehood legislation for Puerto Rico should recognize, protect, and continue to promote the strong cultural, political, commercial, and financial ties to the benefit of U.S. citizens living in Puerto Rico.
On August 1, 1980, during the 2nd Session of the 96th Congress, Democrat Representative Roland V. Dellums of California (D-CA) introduced H.J.Res. 592 in the House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs. The resolution affirmed the right to self-determination and the decolonization of Puerto Rico.
On January 4, 1977, during the 1st Session of the 95th Congress, Democrat Representative Roland V. Dellums of California (D-CA) introduced H.J. Res. 54 in the House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs. The status bill sought to provide independence for Puerto Rico.
On January 19, 1977, during the 1st Session of the 95th Congress, Republican Representative Philip E. Ruppe of Michigan (R-MI) introduced H.R. 2201 in the House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs. This status bill enabled the people of Puerto Rico to form a constitution, a state government and to be subsequently admitted into the Union.
On November 8, 2023, during the first Session of the 118th Congress, Democrat Senator Martin Heinrich of New Mexico (D-NM) introduced S.3231 in the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. This bill enabled the people of Puerto Rico to choose a permanent, nonterritorial, fully self-governing political status for Puerto Rico and to provide for a transition to and the implementation of that permanent, nonterritorial, fully self-governing political status. The three territorial options included in this bill are Statehood, Independence, and Sovereignty in Free Association.
On February 27, 1997, during the 1st Session of the 105th Congress, Republican Representative Don E. Young of Alaska (R-AK) introduced H.R. 856 in the House Committee on Rules. This plebiscitary legislation provided for a status plebiscite that would lead to the full self-government of Puerto Rico under one of multiple status options.
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 March 15, 2006, during the 2nd Session of the 109th Congress, Republican John Duncan Jr. of Tennessee (R-TN) introduced H.R. 4963 (accompanied by S. 2304 in the Senate) in the House Committee on Resources. This bill recognized the right of self-determination of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to organize a constitutional convention to resolve the future political status of Puerto Rico.
On March 2, 2006, during the 2nd Session of the 109th Congress, Republican and New Progressive Party Resident Commissioner Luis G. Fortuño of Puerto Rico (R/PNP-PR) introduced H.R. 4867 in the House Committee on Resources. This bill provided for a federally sanctioned self- determination process for the people of Puerto Rico.
On February 7, 2007, during the 1st Session of the 110th Congress, Democrat Representative Jose E. Serrano of New York (D-NY) introduced H.R. 900 in the House Committee on Natural Resources. The bill provided a referendum to choose among various procedures to resolve Puerto Rico’s political status.
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