,i #aae? ,,congress #b;d ,session ,h4 ,r4 #fbdf ,,9 ,,! ,,h\se ,,( ,,repres5tatives ,june #bg1 #bjah,miss ,gonzlez-,coln ( ,pu]to ,rico 7= h]self1 ,mr4 ,bi%op ( ,utah1 ,mr4 ,"y ( ,alaska1 ,mr4 ,s]rano1 ,mr4 ,la,malfa1 ,mrs4 ,murphy ( ,florida1 ,mr4 ,soto1 ,mr4 ,duffy1 ,mr4 ,mac,arthur1 ,mr4 ,mc,govern1 ,mr4 ,de,santis1 ,mr4 ,rask91 ,ms4 ,/efanik1 ,mr4 ,curbelo ( ,florida1 ,mr4 ,bacon1 ,mr4 ,bey]1 ,mr4 ,banks ( ,indiana1 ,ms4 ,ros-,leht951 ,mr4 ,g5e ,gre5 ( ,texas1 ,mrs4 ,radewag51 ,mr4 ,sablan1 ,mr4 ,v>gas1 ,ms4 ,bordallo1 ,mr4 ,k+ ( ,new ,york1 ,mr4 ,diaz-,bal>t1 ,mr4 ,yoho1 ,mr4 ,fitzpatrick1 ,ms4 ,plaskett1 ,ms4 ,t5ney1 ,mr4 ,labrador1 ,mr4 ,co/ello ( ,p5nsylvania1 ,mr4 ,trott1 ,ms4 ,e/y ( ,connecticut1 ,ms4 ,wass]man ,s*ultz1 ,mrs4 ,beatty1 ,mr4 ,br[n ( ,m>yl&1 ,mr4 ,d5ham1 & ,mr4 ,taylor7 introduc$ ! foll[+ bill2 :i* 0 ref]r$ to ! ,committee on ,natural ,res\rces ,a ,,bill ,to enable ! admission ( ! t]ritory ( ,pu]to ,rico into ! ,union z a ,/ate1 & = o!r purposes4 #a4 ,%ort title ,?is ,act may be cit$ z ! ,pu]to ,rico ,admission ,act ( #bjah4 #b4 ,f9d+s ,congress f9ds ! foll[+3 7#a7 ,pu]to ,rico 0 c$$ to ! ,unit$ ,/ates & came "u ?is ,nation's sov]eignty pursuant to ! ,treaty ( ,p>is end+ ! ,spani%-,am]ican ,w> 9 #ahih4 ,article ,,ix ( ! ,treaty ( ,p>is recogniz$ ! au?ority ( ,congress to provide = ! political /atus ( ! inhabitants ( ! t]ritory4 ,pu]to ,rico rema9$ "u ! direct control ( ,unit$ ,/ates milit>y =ces until ,congress enact$ ! ,=ak] ,act 7,public ,law #ef-aia7 on ,april #ab1 #aijj1 br++ a civilian gov]nm5t1 appo9t$ by ! ,presid5t ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates1 to ! isl&4 7#b7 ,consi/5t ) ! e/abli%m5t ( ,unit$ ,/ates nationality = ! inhabitants ( ,pu]to ,rico "u ! ,treaty ( ,p>is1 9 #aiag1 ,congress ex]cis$ its p[]s "u ! ,t]ritorial ,clause ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,con/itution 7article ,,iv1 section #c1 clause #b7 to provide = ! ,unit$ ,/ates citiz5%ip /atus ( p]sons born 9 ,pu]to ,rico 7,public ,law #fd-cfh74 7#c7 ,"u rul+s ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,supreme ,c\rt1 includ+ ,balzac v4 ,p ( ,porto ,rico1 #beh ,u4,s4 #bih 7#aibb71 only ambigu\s1 inconsi/5t & indirect application ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,con/itution has be5 e/abli%$ 9 ! un9corporat$ t]ritories ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates includ+ ,pu]to ,rico4 7#d7 ,9 #aiej1 ,congress prescrib$ a proc$ure = in/itut+ limit$ int]nal self-gov]nm5t = ,pu]to ,rico pursuant to /atutory au?orization = a local con/itution 7,public ,law #ha-fjj74 ,z a result1 a local con/itution 0 approv$ by ! p ( ,pu]to ,rico1 ratifi$ by ,congress1 subject to con=m+ am5dm5ts enact$ by ,pu]to ,rico1 & !reupon giv5 effect 9 #aieb4 7#e7 ,! approv$ con/itution e/abli%$ a republican =m ( gov]nm5t 9 con=mity ) ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,con/itution & ! pr9ciples ( ! ,decl>ation ( ,indep5d5ce & is ! functional equival5t ( a ,/ate con/itution1 b did n re/rict ! au?ority ( ,congress "u ! ,t]ritorial ,clause to det]m9e ! application ( ,f$]al law to ,pu]to ,rico4 ,congress' pl5>y p[] "u ! ,t]ritorial ,clause 0 mo/ rec5tly & dramatically evid5c$ 9 #bjaf ) ! enactm5t ( ! ,pu]to ,rico ,ov]sight1 ,managem5t1 & ,economic ,/ability ,act 7,public ,law #aad-ahg74 7#f7 ,congressional policies to date h disenfran*is$ ! approximately #c1djj1jjj ,unit$ ,/ates citiz5s resid+ 9 ,pu]to ,rico :o d n enjoy a democratic =m ( gov]nm5t at ! national level z !y _c vote 9 ! election ( ! ,presid5t & ,vice ,presid5t ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates1 are n repres5t$ 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,s5ate1 & only h "o ,resid5t ,commission] 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives1 :o c only vote 9 ! ,congressional committees to :i* %e or he is assign$4 7#g7 ,fur!rmore1 ! ,f$]al ,gov]nm5t may1 & (t5 does1 treat ! ,unit$ ,/ates citiz5s resid+ 9 ,pu]to ,rico unequally "u mo/ ,f$]al programs & o!r laws applicable to ! sev]al ,/ates & _! resid5ts4 ,9 its ,decemb] #ad1 #bjaf1 ,report to ,congress1 ! ,congressional ,task ,=ce on ,economic ,gr[? 9 ,pu]to ,rico e/abli%$ t ! t]ritory is n treat$ equally ) ! ,/ates "u m ?an #dj ,f$]al /atutes4 7#h7 ,! limitations (1 & unequal treatm5t "u1 t]ritory /atus has left ,pu]to ,rico "u-develop$ :5 comp>$ to ! ,/ates & has sub/antially contribut$ to its fiscal & economic crisis1 =c+ a massive exodus t has result$ 9 #e1djj1jjj ,unit$ ,/ates citiz5s ( ,pu]to ,rican ance/ry liv+ 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates ma9l&4 7#i7 ,pu]to ,rico has be5 "u ,unit$ ,/ates sov]eignty & )9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates cu/oms t]ritory = close to #abj ye>s1 mak+ ,pu]to ,rico ! olde/1 l>ge/1 & mo/ popul\s colony 9 ! _w1 yet ,congress has fail$ to respond to ! p ( ,pu]to ,rico's cont9u$ que/ = equality & self-det]m9ation4 7#aj7 ,x has be5 ! long/&+ policy ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates t ! ,unit$ ,/ates citiz5s ( a t]ritory c democratically det]m9e :e!r x %\ld ev5tually become a ,/ate or a sov]eign nation4 7#aa7 ,on ,novemb] #f1 #bjab1 ! ,gov]nm5t ( ,pu]to ,rico held a locally sanction$1 two-"p plebiscite4 ,?is plebiscite 0 consi/5t ) ! recomm5dations set =? by ! ,presid5t's ,task ,=ce on ,pu]to ,rico's ,/atus ,report to ,congress ( ,m>* #bjaa4 ,! fir/ "q ask$ if ,pu]to ,rico %\ld cont9ue to be a t]ritory ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates1 & #ed p]c5t ( ! vot]s reject$ t]ritory /atus4 ,! second "q ask$ ! vot]s to express _! pref]5ce among ! ?ree possible & int]nationally recogniz$ p]man5t alt]natives to t]ritory /atus--/atehood1 indep5d5ce1 or nationhood 9 free association ) ! ,unit$ ,/ates--& #fa p]c5t ( ! vot]s :o select$ an option *ose /atehood4 ,! numb] ( votes ca/ = /atehood on ! second "q exce$$ ! numb] ( votes ca/ = cont9u$ t]ritory /atus on ! fir/ "q4 7#ab7 ,on ,june #aa1 #bjag1 ! ,gov]nm5t ( ,pu]to ,rico held yet ano!r /atus plebiscite to ratify ! results ( ! #bjab vote1 on a ballot am5d$ to specifically comply ) ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,dep>tm5t ( ,ju/ice's requirem5ts pursuant to ,public ,law #aac-gf4 ,9 ?is plebiscite1 /atehood receiv$ #ig p]c5t1 free association_/indep5d5ce receiv$ #a4e p]c5t1 & curr5t t]ritorial /atus receiv$ #a4c p]c5t ( ! votes ca/4 7#ac7 ,pu]to ,ricans h contribut$ greatly to ! ,nation 9 all fields ( endeavor1 bo? 9 w> & 9 peace4 ,ov] #bej1jjj h s]v$ 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,arm$ ,=ces1 _m pay+ ! ultimate sacrifice4 ,!y n only des]ve1 b h e>n$ ! "r to h _! voices he>d4 7#ad7 ,la/ ye> m>k$ ! #ajj? anniv]s>y ( ! grant+ ( ,unit$ ,/ates citiz5%ip to ! p ( ,pu]to ,rico by ,congress1 :o rema9 dis5fran*is$ & trapp$ 9 a second-class citiz5%ip t d5ies !m ! same rights & responsibilities z _! fell[ citiz5s 9 ! ,/ates4 7#ae7 ,equality )9 ! ,nation is requir$ = a heal?y ,am]ican economy & ess5tial = ,pu]to ,rico's social & economic well-be+ z well z = basic reasons ( democracy4 ,pu]to ,rico %\ld be transition$ into equality )9 ! ,union4 #c4 ,purpose ,! purpose ( ! ,act is to respond to1 & comply )1 ! democratic w ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates citiz5s resid+ 9 ,pu]to ,rico z express$ 9 ! plebiscites held on ,novemb] #f1 #bjab1 & ,june #aa1 #bjag1 by sett+ =? ! t]ms = ! admission ( ! t]ritory ( ,pu]to ,rico z a ,/ate ( ! ,union4 #d4 ,admission ,subject to ! provisions ( ?is ,act1 & ^u ! issuance ( ! proclamation by ! ,presid5t ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates requir$ by section #f ( ?is ,act1 ! t]ritory ( ,pu]to ,rico !reupon %all become a ,/ate ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates1 & admitt$ into ! ,union on an equal foot+ & 9 true p]man5t union ) ! o!r ,/ates 9 all respects :atsoev]4 #e4 ,transition process 7a7 ,/ate con/itution ,! con/itution ( ! ,/ate ( ,pu]to ,rico %all always be republican 9 =m & %all be 9 con=mity ) ! ,con/itution ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates4 ,! curr5t con/itution ( ,pu]to ,rico is deem$ to be republican 9 =m & 9 con=mity ) ! ,con/itution ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates & is h]eby accept$ z ! con/itution ( ! ,/ate ( ,pu]to ,rico4 7b7 ,plebiscite results deem$ suffici5t ,imm$iately ^u ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! results ( ! ,novemb] #f1 #bjab1 & ,june #aa1 #bjag1 /atus plebiscites are deem$ suffici5t to trigg] ! transition process to ,/atehood set =? 9 ?is section4 ,?is section does n preclude additional democratic self-det]m9ation "u local or ,f$]al law4 7c7 ,task =ce on equality = ! ,unit$ ,/ates citiz5s ( ,pu]to ,rico 7#a7 ,e/abli%m5t ,!re is e/abli%$ )9 ! legislative bran* a ,congressional ,task ,=ce on ,equality = ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,citiz5s ( ,pu]to ,rico 7h]e9aft] ref]r$ to z ! ,task ,=ce74 7#b7 ,duties ,! ,task ,=ce %all-- 7,a7 survey ! laws ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates & make recomm5dations to ,congress & ! ,presid5t ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates z to h[ laws t d n apply to ! t]ritory ( ,pu]to ,rico or apply diff]5tly to ! t]ritory ?an to ! sev]al ,/ates %\ld be am5d$ or repeal$ to phase-9 equal treatm5t ( ,pu]to ,rico ) ! sev]al ,/ates1 z appropriate1 no lat] ?an ,janu>y #a1 #bjba2 7,b7 make recomm5dations on pot5tial tempor>y economic measures to assi/ ,pu]to ,rico's transition f a t]ritory to a ,/ate1 seek+ ! greate/ degree ( flexibility = ! phase-9 ( ,f$]al programs & ! developm5t ( ! t]ritory's economy ?r\gh fiscal inc5tives1 alt]native tax arrangem5ts1 & o!r measures2 7,c7 propose timel9es & rules guid+ elections = ,f$]al (fices2 & 7,d7 /udy ! effect ( ,pu]to ,rico's admission z a ,/ate on ! exi/+ apportionm5t 9 ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives4 7#c7 ,memb]%ip ,! ,task ,=ce %all be compris$ ( #i ,memb]s z foll[s3 7,a7 ,f\r ,memb]s ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives1 two ( :om %all be appo9t$ by ! ,speak] ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives1 & two ( :om %all be appo9t$ by ! m9ority lead] ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives4 7,b7 ,f\r ,memb]s ( ! ,s5ate1 two ( :om %all be appo9t$ by ! majority lead] ( ! ,s5ate1 & two ( :om %all be appo9t$ by ! m9ority lead] ( ! ,s5ate4 7,c7 ,! ,resid5t ,commission] ( ,pu]to ,rico4 7#d7 ,deadl9e = appo9tm5t ,appo9tm5ts to ! ,task ,=ce %all be made n lat] ?an #cj days aft] ! date ( enactm5t ( ?is ,act4 7#e7 ,*air ,! ,speak] ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives %all designate "o ,memb] to s]ve z ,*air ( ! ,task ,=ce4 7#f7 ,vacancies ,any vacancy 9 ! ,task ,=ce %all be fill$ 9 ! same mann] z ! orig9al appo9tm5t4 7#g7 ,ag5cy coop]ation ,! ,dep>tm5ts & ag5cies ( ! executive bran* & all (fices & entities ( ! legislative bran* ( %all-- 7,a7 coop]ate ) ! ,task ,=ce 9 c>ry+ out its duties2 & 7,b7 furni% x ) su* in=mation & te*nical assi/ance z may be reque/$1 includ+1 b n limit$ to1 views1 recomm5dations1 & draft+ s]vices on ! measures ne$$ to fulfill ! ,task ,=ce's m&ate4 7#h7 ,reports 7,a7 ,n lat] ?an #bgj cal5d> days aft] its e/abli%m5t1 ! ,task ,=ce %all submit a prelim9>y report ( its recomm5dations to ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives1 ! ,s5ate1 & ! ,presid5t ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates4 7,b7 ,n lat] ?an #abj cal5d> days aft] ! submission ( ! prelim9>y report1 ! ,task ,=ce %all submit a f9al report ( its recomm5dations to ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives1 ! ,s5ate1 & ! ,presid5t ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates4 7,c7 ,to ! greate/ ext5t practicable1 ! reports issu$ pursuant to subp>agraphs 7,a7 & 7,b7 %all reflect ! %>$ views ( all #i ,memb]s ( ! ,task ,=ce b ! reports may conta9 diss5t+ views4 7#i7 ,congressional int5t ,! enactm5t ( ?is ,act expresses ! int5t ( ,congress to pass legislation bas$ ^u ! ,task ,=ce's f9al report4 7#aj7 ,t]m9ation ,^u issu+ ! f9al report "u p>agraph 7#h77;,b71 ! ,task ,=ce %all t]m9ate4 7#aa7 ,implem5tation ,^u receipt ( ! f9al ,task ,=ce ,report "u p>agraph 7#h77;,b71 ,congress %all ensure t1 z appropriate1 ,f$]al laws t d n apply to ,pu]to ,rico or apply diff]5tly to ! t]ritory ?an to ! sev]al ,/ates are am5d$ or repeal$ to phase-9 ! equal treatm5t ( ,pu]to ,rico ) ! sev]al ,/ates no lat] ?an ,janu>y #a1 #bjba4 ,g5]ally1 z "p ( ! transition process-- 7,a7 all ,acts1 or p>ts ( ,acts1 9 conflict ) ! provisions ( ?is ,act1 :e!r pass$ by ! ,legislature ( ,pu]to ,rico or by ,congress1 %all be repeal$ or am5d$ to con=m to ! provisions ( ?is ,act2 7,b7 ,pu]to ,rico w cease to be an un9corporat$ t]ritory ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates & w become an incorporat$ t]ritory ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates until its f9al admission into ! ,union z a ,/ate no lat] ?an ,janu>y #a1 #bjba2 & 7,c7 ) ! exception ( ^? p>ts t are n 9 conflict ) ?is ,act1 ! foll[+ %all be repeal$3 7i7 ,! ,pu]to ,rican ,f$]al ,relations ,act ( #aiej 7,public ,law #ha-fjj74 7ii7 ,! ,act ( ,july #c1 #aiej 7#dh ,u4,s4,c4 #gca;b-#gca;e74 7iii7 ,! ,act ( ,april #ab1 #aijj 7,public ,law #ef-aia74 7iv7 ,! ,act ( ,m>* #b1 #aiag 7,public ,law #fd-cfh74 #f4 ,issuance ( presid5tial proclamation ,foll[+ ! completion ( ! transition process set =? 9 section #e1 ! ,presid5t ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates %all issue a proclamation decl>+ t ,pu]to ,rico is admitt$ into ! ,union on an equal foot+ ) ! o!r ,/ates1 effective no lat] ?an ,janu>y #a1 #bjba4 ,^u issuance ( ! proclamation by ! ,presid5t1 ,pu]to ,rico %all cease to be an incorporat$ t]ritory ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates & be deem$ admitt$ into ! ,union z a ,/ate4 #g4 ,/ate ( ,pu]to ,rico ,^u ! admission ( ,pu]to ,rico into ! ,union z a ,/ate1 ! foll[+ apply3 7#a7 ,t]ritory ,! newly admitt$ ,/ate ( ,pu]to ,rico %all consi/ ( all its isl&s1 toge!r ) _! appurt5ant reefs & t]ritorial wat]s 9 ! seaw>d b\nd>y1 pres5tly "u ! jurisdiction ( ! t]ritory ( ,pu]to ,rico4 7#b7 ,cont9uity ( gov]nm5t ,p]sons hold+ executive1 legislative1 & judicial (fices 9 ! ,gov]nm5t ( ,pu]to ,rico %all cont9ue to dis*>ge ! duties ( _! respective (fices consi/5t ) ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,con/itution & ,f$]al law applicable to ,pu]to ,rico1 & ! ,/ate ( ,pu]to ,rico's laws & con/itution4 7#c7 ,cont9uity ( laws 7,a7 ,t]ritory law ,all ( ! t]ritory laws 9 =ce 9 ,pu]to ,rico %all cont9ue 9 =ce & effect 9 ! ,/ate1 except z modifi$ by ?is ,act1 & %all be subject to repeal or am5dm5t by ! legislature & ! ,gov]nor ( ,pu]to ,rico4 7,b7 ,f$]al law ,all ( ! laws ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates %all h ! same =ce & effect z on ! date imm$iately prior to ! date ( admission ( ,pu]to ,rico into ! ,union z a ,/ate1 except = any provision ( law t treats ,pu]to ,rico & its resid5ts diff]5tly ?an ! ,/ates ( ! ,union & _! resid5ts1 :i* %all be am5d$ z ( ! date ( admission to treat ! ,/ate ( ,pu]to ,rico & its resid5ts equally ) ! o!r ,/ates ( ! ,union & _! resid5ts4 7#d7 ,unit$ ,/ates citiz5%ip ,no provision ( ?is ,act %all op]ate to conf] ,unit$ ,/ates citiz5%ip1 nor t]m9ate citiz5%ip h]eto lawfully acquir$1 nor re/ore citiz5%ip t]m9at$ or lo/ "u any law ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates or "u any treaty to :i* ! ,unit$ ,/ates is or 0 a p>ty4 #h4 ,sev]ability ,if any provision ( ?is ,act1 or any section1 subsection1 s5t5ce1 clause1 phrase1 or individual ^w1 or ! application !re( to any p]son or circum/ance is held invalid1 ! validity ( ! rema9d] ( ! ,act & ( ! application ( any su* provision1 section1 subsection1 s5t5ce1 clause1 phrase1 or individual ^w to o!r p]sons & circum/ances %all n be affect$ !reby4