New York – Pablo José Hernández, candidate for the resident police station in Washington for the Popular Democratic Party (PPD), does not foresee that project 3231 in the federal Senate to hold a plebiscite without the option of the Commonwealth (ELA) will advance in the legislative process to become law.
“I do not foresee the Puerto Rico Status Act becoming law, and we must join forces to seek parity measures in federal programs and economic development,” said the state-librist in written statements to El Diario.
Regarding the increase in the number of co-sponsors of the project presented by New Mexico Democrat Martin Heinrich, Hernández stated that the figure is not really significant given that the New Progressive Party (NPP) has had resident commissioners from that community for two decades. in the federal House of Representatives without progress in that direction.
“The PNP has been alone in the federal capital for 20 years, and 25 co-sponsors is not enough in that context,” he added.
PDP reluctant to focus on status issue
The PPD has maintained its distance from the issue of status and projects currently before Congress for consideration.
One of the reasons is because both 3231 and its sister version in the House of Representatives, 2757, do not include the Commonwealth because it is territorial. The most updated versions of the Puerto Rico Status Act presented in both legislative chambers last year provide for a plebiscite between the non-territorial options of statehood, independence and free association.
Hernández’s speech in recent months has focused on the need to promote economic development measures rather than the issue of status.
“We care about status: the status of your family, the status of your health, the status of your education, the status of your security, the status of your well-being and the status of your pocketbook,” he indicated in a publication from your Twitter account.
The president of the PPD, Jesús Manuel Ortiz, has expressed himself along the same lines, insisting that the discussion about the status in the federal capital is neither serious nor democratic.
“The discussion of status has to take place seriously, with all the players at the table, and in a democratic manner. We cannot do what the PNP has done for the past 20 years, which is to promote projects that they know are not going to have any future, that they know do not have any support from anyone in the federal capital, but for their campaign message it is positive because they try to get their troops out to vote. It’s the only reason they do it. In that sense, we are not going to invest the resources of the people of Puerto Rico in sterile processes…” declared Ortiz, also a pre-candidate for the governor of PR, in a recent press conference in which both leaders rejected the option of incorporated territory. .
Pressure from statesmen in Washington
State leaders, the majority linked to the PNP and the Administration of Governor Pedro Pierluisi, are those who pressure in Washington DC, and, particularly, in the Senate for more support in favor of the status legislation.
The management of that sector resulted last week in the announcement by the leader of the Democratic majority in the Senate, Charles Schumer, that he sponsored the bill.
In written statements to El Diario, Schumer indicated that the legislative initiative promotes a clearly democratic process of self-determination and that is why he decided to support it.
“I have always supported Puerto Rico’s right to self-determination, and I am proud to support this legislation that I believe will help pave the way for a robust political and economic future on the island. “I will do everything I can so that Puerto Ricans can have that democratic process,” added Schumer, who met with Pierluisi prior to making the announcement.
Schumer’s endorsement of the measure came about six months after Heinrich introduced the piece of legislation in the Senate.
At the moment, there is no certainty that the West Virginia Democrat, Joe Manchin, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, will convene a session in that body to discuss the project and the issue of status as requested by Pierluisi as part from his tour of Congress a few days ago. Any project to resolve the status of the island must first be voted on in that committee and in the equivalent in the House, and, later, in the plenary session of both the House and the Senate. It should be noted that, at the moment, no Republican senator supports 3231.
This Tuesday, George H. Laws García, president of The Puerto Rico Statehood Council (PRSC), classified the co-sponsorship of the 25 senators as historic and monumental.
Incidentally, the activist highlighted that in the House there are 95 co-sponsors of 2757, which include Republicans.
“The House’s sister legislation, HR 2757, also continues to gain bipartisan support with a total of 95 cosponsors in the House of Representatives. The PRSA recognizes Congress’ responsibility to end undemocratic and unequal territorial status by providing the 3.2 million U.S. citizens living on the island the opportunity to determine the future political status of Puerto Rico. This legislation offers voters in Puerto Rico a binding choice between statehood, independence or independence with free association,” argued Laws García.
In the opinion of the statesman, the support of the 25 senators represents the largest amount for a status measure in that legislative body.
“Obtaining this historic level of support in the Senate for legislation that includes a bid for statehood for Puerto Rico is a monumental advance for the statesmanship movement in PR. This demonstrates the persistence and dedication of our advocacy efforts, as well as our willingness to “We commit to those who pursue other visions for the future of Puerto Rico to break with the division and conquer the logic that has perpetuated territorial colonialism for more than a century,” said Laws García, while highlighting that this is the first time in history. legislative that a majority leader in the Senate endorses a self-determination process for the island.
The lobbyist also requested public hearings in both the House and Senate as the next step to continue advancing the discussion.
Keep reading:
Bold PAC of the Hispanic Caucus in Congress endorses Pablo José Hernández Rivera, of the PPD, for the resident police station in Washington
Interview: President of the Puerto Rico Statehood Council (PRSC) defends efforts and money in Washington to lobby for statehood
Puerto Rican activists in Washington DC assure that there is no appetite in Congress to advance the status issue