Statehood for Puerto Rico
Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens by birth and enjoy many of the same rights as citizens living in the states. For example, unlike the mayor of the District of Columbia, the governor of Puerto Rico can mobilize the National Guard and has control over Puerto Rico’s budget. However, there are certain rights and privileges that Puerto Ricans enjoy as residents of a U.S. territory, or commonwealth, as well as some limitations.
Watch the video and then click on the boxes under Pros and Cons.
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NARRATOR: It’s the world's oldest colony, claimed by Christopher Columbus on behalf of the Spanish monarchy in 1493. But today, is it a state, a territory, or something else, and what is the connection between the United States and Puerto Rico?
The story begins when Spanish colonists arrived to meet the Taino people, who had lived there for more than a thousand years. After a brief period of peaceful coexistence, a war erupted and the Spanish took the island.
It soon became known as Puerto Rico, or "rich port," after the busy harbor town on the North coast. It remained part of the Spanish empire for over 400 years, until in 1895, the islanders rebelled for their independence, and that's when the United States got involved.
A U.S. battleship en route to rescue American citizens living on the island was sunk by the Spanish. The United States authorized the use of force, and Spain declared war. The Americans invaded the colony, securing an easy victory. The Treaty of Paris ended the Spanish-American War and officially conceded the island to U.S. control.
Declared an unorganized territory rather than a colony, most, but not all Puerto Ricans were given United States citizenship in 1917 when the U.S. Congress passed the Jones–Shafroth Act. By 1940 the Nationality Act finally granted all people in Puerto Rico U.S. citizenship by birth. Twelve years later, it officially became the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, a debated term that means it is neither a state nor an independent country. As such, Puerto Rico is governed by United States federal law, but its citizens are unable to vote in presidential elections.
Despite the fact that its population has voted for full United States statehood six times, Puerto Rico remains stuck in a kind of constitutional limbo, but it isn't the only U.S. territorial island with limited representation. Others include Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In 2020, the United Nations Special Committee on Decolonization drafted a call on the U.S. to recognize Puerto Rican self-determination, but to this day, their status has not changed. What arguments could you make for Puerto Rico becoming the 51st state?
Pros
Although Puerto Ricans are subject to federal statutes and legislation, they are prohibited from participating in presidential elections unless they have official residency in the United States and travel to their state to vote or cast an absentee ballot. With statehood, Puerto Ricans could vote in the presidential election.
Puerto Ricans receive less funding from the federal government compared to states. Additionally, healthcare providers, including doctors and hospitals, receive reduced reimbursement rates, despite having to meet the same federal standards of care. Statehood would bring increased federal contributions to Medicaid.
While Puerto Ricans are typically exempt from some federal taxes, they do pay the federal payroll tax for Medicare and Social Security. Puerto Ricans are eligible for Medicare and Social Security benefits; however, in 2022, the Supreme Court ruled that Puerto Ricans were not eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a federal program that provides monthly payments to low-income aged, blind, or disabled persons.
Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens who have participated in every war since World War I and are subject to the Selective Service Act. Yet many Americans remain unaware of their contributions and status as citizens. Statehood could give them recognition and emphasize their rights as U.S. citizens.
Cons
More Puerto Ricans could be subject to federal taxes. Currently, only federal employees, members of the military, or individuals with U.S.-based income pay federal income taxes.
Increasing the federal budget to cover additional public benefits for Puerto Ricans could be expensive and increase the federal deficit.
Take Notes
List the reasons you think are most convincing in the debate over whether Puerto Rico should be granted statehood.
