95th Congress

1977-1978

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.

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114th Congress

2015-2016

Two bills were introduced and one law passed during the 114th Congress. One status bill, H.R. 727 included a statehood provision. The other, S. 3044, a plebiscitary bill included three status options: statehood, sovereignty, and Commonwealth or status quo. The PROMESA Law, a fiscal measure to manage Puerto Rico’s economy, contained a provision affirming the right of Puerto Ricans to determine its future political status including by conducting a plebiscite. The 114th Congress did not enact any status changing legislation for Puerto Rico.

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75th Congress

1937-1938

Two bills were introduced in the 75th Congress. One status bill, H.R. 1992, provided for the territorial incorporation of Puerto Rico. The other bill, H.R. 4885, was a referendum legislation which included a provision for independence. The 75th Congress did not enact any status changing legislation for Puerto Rico.

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96th Congress

1979-1980

Three bills were introduced in the 96th Congress. Two of the bills, S. Con. Res. 35 and H. Con. Res. 165, are resolutions that include a provision for independence. The third bill, H.J.Res. 592, provided for the creation of a constituent assembly tasked with decolonizing Puerto Rico through independence or some form of alternative free association. The 96th Congress did not enact any status changing legislation for Puerto Rico.

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115th Congress

2017-2018

Three bills were introduced in the 115th Congress. Two status bills, H.R. 260 and H.R. 6246 advocated for statehood. A third bill, H.R. 900 provided for a referendum between two options: independence or Free Association. The 115th Congress did not enact any status changing legislation for Puerto Rico.

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76th Congress

1939-1940

Six bills were introduced in the 76th Congress. Five of these bills, H.R. 147, H.R. 6986/S.2780, H.R.7117 and H.R. 9361, were single status bills. The sixth bill, H.R. 9361, was an organic act providing for a greater degree of home rule. The 76th Congress did not enact any status changing legislation for Puerto Rico.

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97th Congress

1981-1982

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.

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116th Congress

2019-2020

Three status bills were introduced in the 116th Congress. Two bills, H.R. 1965 and H.R. 4901 advocated for statehood. The third bill, H.R. 8113 called for a self-determination process to identify a final status solution. The 116th Congress did not enact any status changing legislation for Puerto Rico.

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77th Congress

1941-1942

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.

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98th Congress

1983-1984

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.

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