Thread: Breaking News House Passes Puerto Rico Statehood Measure

Breaking News House Passes Puerto Rico Statehood Measure

just saw this on Fox. No story yet. Now what does this mean...

http://www.foxnews.com/

It means that the left wing nut jobs in the House blessed it, notw it goes to the Senate. Where it will be killed!

O M G ! ! !

After watching Glen Beck and the comment that one or some of the "refounders" said they were lied to, I was hoping it wouldn't make it at all! How STUPID can these people be?!!!!

House Of Representatives

Articlecomments
Updated April 29, 2010

House Approves Puerto Rico Statehood Measure
By John Brandt Chad Pergram
- FOXNews.com

The House voted Thursday to allow Puerto Ricans to decide their own political future and relationship with the United States.

The vote was 223 to 169. Rep. Louise Slaughter,D-N.Y. voted present.

The bill introduced a two-step ballot measure for Puerto Rico to decide if its residents want to change their current relationship with the United States. If they vote to change their status, they can then choose to become a state, pursue independence, or seek some other "political association between sovereign nations." ‬‪ ‬‪

Proponents say the measure gives citizens of the island the right to self-determination.‬‪ ‬‪Critics say the measure is a device to impose statehood on a population that doesn't want it.‬‪ ‬‪Thursday's action was nonbinding, and if Puerto Ricans eventually select statehood, Congress would still have to vote to admit the island to the union as the 51st state.‬‪ ‬‪
The issue divided Democrats and Republicans alike as liberal Democrats with ties to Puerto Rico teamed with conservative Republicans to oppose the measure.

The divides were particularly stark among members of the House Republican leadership team. House Minority Leader John Boehner,R-Ohio, voted against the legislation. Meantime, House Minority Whip Eric Cantor, R-Va., and Republican Conference Chairman Mike Pence, R-Ind., voted in favor.

Puerto Rico Gov. Luis Fortuno (R) cobbled together more than 50 Republican sponsors in favor of the package.

But there was drama as the majority Democrats narrowly avoided an upset on the House floor.

Republicans attempted to add provisions to the legislation that would have made English the official language of a potential Puerto Rican state.

Republicans also tried to modify the bill by banning any infringement of the Second Amendment in Puerto Rico.

The Democratic majority defeated the GOP effort, 198 to 194.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/04 ... d-measure/

This was not just Democrats, I heard mike Pence support this legislation along with other Republicans....and guess what Luis GutierreZ was against it, I was so confused what anyone was thinking when they were done debating I am still confused.

Thank goodness it goes to the Senate.

My guess SoSad is because it is the "self-determination" language. Perhaps Pence and the other GOPs liked that choice to be available for these people.

Anyway, the measure is non-binding which means it cannot become a law without another statehood formal legislation by Congress.

This is a confusing thing: I see this as bad in more welfare, and government handouts due to the low income in that area but good b/c they serve in our military and are part of our Country anyway but don't pay the same taxes and are considered a 'commonwealth?'

If this passes what are the good and bad points for those who understand this. Very confusing issue and more confusing watching the debate today for those who stood for and against it???

Help

Im lost on this one too. Does PR even WANT to become a state? Why can't they continue to stand on thier own? Why do these politicians want them? More taxpayers?

Does this mean we will have to add another star to our flag?

If Glenn is right on this and I believe he is it means the dims will have control for decades and this country will be totally destroyed and barry will be another Hugo....

Puerto Rico has been under U.S. sovereignty for over a century and Puerto Ricans have been U.S. citizens since 1917.[1][2][3] Since the establishment of the current Commonwealth status in 1952, further local attempts to change the island's political status took place in 1967, 1993, and 1998. An additional referendum held in 1991 sought to amend the relationship through an amendment to the Puerto Rican constitution. Each time, the results favored retaining the commonwealth status over the possible independence of Puerto Rico and statehood alternatives.

Although Puerto Rico presently has a certain amount of local autonomy, according to the U.S. Constitution ultimate governance of the island is retained by both the U.S. Congress and President.[4][5] Thus, plebiscite results (and especially if not authorized by the Congress), while they reflect public sentiment, and thus bear some impact, can be ignored by Congress. Ultimately, the results of Puerto Rican plebiscites are opinions, although Congressional resolutions have expressed support for following the will of the Puerto Rican people.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_ ... uerto_Rico