67th Congress

1921-1922

Three bills status bills were introduced during the 67th Congress. Unlike other type of legislation, status bills require Congress to make a determination on the application of one status to Puerto Rico. The first bill introduced in this Congress, H.R.9934, incorporated Puerto Rico as a territory. The latter companion status bills, H.R.9995, and S.3137, were simultaneously introduced in the House and Senate and provided for the creation of an Associate Free State status or a status that granted Puerto Rico an autonomous but subordinated territorial status. To be sure, both bills contained provisions reminiscent of the Platt Amendment provisions used to legitimate any U.S. intervention in an autonomous Puerto Rico.

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90th Congress

1967-1968

Only one bill was introduced in the 90th Congress. This status legislation, H.R. 9691 contained a provision for Statehood. The 90th Congress did not enact any status changing legislation for Puerto Rico.

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110th Congress

2007-2008

Three bills were introduced in the 110th Congress. Two bills, H.R. 900 and S. 1936 provided for local plebiscites. The third bill, H.R. 1230, provided for a referendum on the outcome of a status convention. The 110th Congress did not enact any status changing legislation for Puerto Rico.

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70th Congress

1927-1928

Only one bill was introduced in the 70th Congress. This status bill, H.R. 9847, provided for the creation of an autonomic government for Puerto Rico. This is the earliest bill introduced in Congress calling for a local Constitutional Convention. The 70th Congress did not enact any status changing legislation for Puerto Rico.

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91st Congress

1969-1970

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.

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111th Congress

2009-2010

Only one bill was introduced during the 111th Congress. This bill, H.R. 2499 provided for a plebiscite containing four status options, namely: Commonwealth, Independence, Sovereignty in Association, and Statehood. This bill cleared the house but died in the Senate. The 111th Congress did not enact any status changing legislation for Puerto Rico.

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73rd Congress

1933-1934

Only one bill was introduced during the 73rd Congress. H.R. 9831, a status bill, advocated for Statehood. The 73rd congress did not enact any status changing legislation for Puerto Rico.

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94th Congress

1975-1976

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.

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113th Congress

2013-2014

Three bills were introduced in the 113th Congress. Two bills, H.R. 2000 and S. 2020, were status legislation which included provisions for statehood. In addition, Congress passed a Budget Law, Pub. L. 113-76) (H.R. 3547), containing a provision calling for a voter education campaign and subsequent plebiscite. This provision was introduced in response to the 2012 Puerto Rican status plebiscite. The 113th Congress did not enact any legislation that changed Puerto Rico’s political status.

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74th Congress

1935-1936

Four bills were introduced during the 74th Congress. Two were status legislation, but whereas H.R. 1394 provided for statehood, H.R. 12611 sought independence. One bill, H.R. 1393, was an Organic Act Amendment with a provision for statehood. The fourth bill, S. 4529, provided for a referendum on independence. The 74th Congress did not enact any status changing legislation for Puerto Rico.

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