On April 30, 1963, during the 1st Session of the 88th Congress, Democrat Representative Leo W. O’Brien of New York (D-NY) introduced H.R. 5946 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 March 6, 1996, during the 2nd Session of the 104th Congress, Republican Representative Don E. Young of Alaska (R-AK) initially introduced H.R. 3024 in the Committee on Resources. This bill provided a plebiscitary process leading to the full self-government of Puerto Rico.
On May 15, 2013, during the 1st Session of the 113th Congress, Democrat and New Progressive Party Resident Commissioner Pedro R. Pierluisi of Puerto Rico (D/PNP-PR) introduced H.R. 2000 (accompanied by S. 2020 in the Senate) in the House Committee on Natural Resources. This status bill set forth a process for Puerto Rico to be admitted as a state of the Union.
On July 20, 2022, during the 2nd Session of the 117th Congress, Republican Senator Roger F. Wicker of Mississippi (R-MS) introduced S. 4560 in the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. This bill enabled the people of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to determine the political status of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
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.
On May 6, 1963, during the 1st Session of the 88th Congress, Democrat Representative Henry B. Gonzalez of Texas (D-TX) introduced H.R. 6083 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.
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.
Public Law 114-187 was enacted on June 30, 2016, during the 1st Session of the 114th Congress. Public Law 114-187 authorized the creation of the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA). This law affirmed the right of Puerto Ricans to determine its future political status including by conducting a plebiscite authorized by Public Law 113-76.
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.
During the 1st Session of the 76th Congress, on January 3, 1939, Democrat and Socialist member of the conservative Coalición, Resident Commissioner Santiago Iglesias of Puerto Rico (D/Coalición-PR) introduced H.R. 147 in the House Committee on Insular Affairs. This status bill called for the admission of Puerto Rico into the Union on an equal footing with the states.
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