There is this bill called the Puerto Rico Democracy Act, H.R. 2499, that could result in Puerto Rico becoming the 51st state of the United States.
The bill, if approved will allow the people of Puerto Rico to vote if they want to maintain their current status, or to have a different status.
If the people of Puerto Rico vote to change their status then another vote would be conducted offering them three options:
What are those three options? They are, number one, independence; two, statehood; and, three, sovereignty in association with the U.S., which is commonly known as free association.
According to H.R. 2499 co-sponsor Rep Ms. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen from Florida’s 18th district is “urging her colleagues to support the bill when it comes to a floor vote later this week.”
What would happen if Puerto Rico became the 51st state? First up would be massive federal spending, and then it brings 2 additional (presumably Democrat) senators along with 6 to 8 additional members of the House.
(source: Library of Congress, Congressional Record, April 26, 2010)
The bill:
HR 2499 Puerto Rico Democracy Act
Recent Posts:
- Taxpayers to the Rescue of Afghanistan Banking Crisis?
- Economic Data and Earnings Schedule for September 2 2010
- Christina Romer Makes a Final Recommendation Before Leaving To Teach Keynesian Economics
- Homebuilder Hovnanian (HOV) Reports Dismal Quarter
- Auto Sales Data for August 2010
- Stock Market Rewind – September 1, 2010
