Democrats Push for Puerto Rico Statehood Referendum

The House of Representatives passed the “Puerto Rico Status Act” in mid-December, led by Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.). If signed into law, the act could spark a drastic change to the island’s economy.
The bill would require the U.S. government to conduct a plebiscite for the island’s residents, allowing them to democratically decide whether they would like Puerto Rico to become the 51st state, an independent country, or remain a commonwealth. Previous non-binding referendums have resulted in a slight majority favoring statehood.
Grijalva’s act received unanimous Democratic support in the House, and 16 Republicans crossed the aisle to vote in favor of the bill, including outgoing Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo). Supporters of the bill view it as an important step in undoing the vestiges of American colonialism….}