I commend Congresswoman Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon, Puerto Rico's sole representative in Congress, and Congressman Darren Soto, for introducing a status bill that actually represents and defends the will of the people.

H.R. 2070, ironically called the Puerto Rico Self Determination Act, is the farthest thing from self-determination. It is the epitome of colonialism.

We must respect this sacred mandate and abide by the will of the people.

We demand that you start treating us as equals and stop treating us as property.

We deserve equality as American citizens. And we will not stop this fight until we achieve it.

But as Congressman Soto said after the 2017 plebiscite, choosing to boycott a vote on Puerto Rico's political status is a choice in itself.

As I see it, the Soto bill is response to the people of Puerto Rico choosing its preferred status in fair and legitimate election.

Only through statehood will we have full equality as Americans and sending Senators and Congresspersons to Washington will have a chance to make sure our people to fully benefit as American citizens.

Would not ignoring the recent referendum vote in Puerto Rico be another form of voter suppression?

The Velazquez bill does the complete opposite, and creates an unfair process that Congress has never imposed on any territory petitioning for statehood.

I strongly urge the Members of this Committee to reject this approach.

Puerto Ricans deserve that this time be different. The U.S. Congress and the Biden Administration have a moral, legal and political responsibility to enact H.R. 2070.

The Soto bill is a true response to the most recent referendum in which the voters of Puerto Rico clearly chose statehood.

I passionately believe that if Congress approves the Soto bill and offers Puerto Rico a real path to statehood it would be overwhelmingly approved by the voters of Puerto Rico.

A minority of Puerto Ricans on the island are pushing for a concept called enhanced commonwealth status. This is, of course, not a thing.

Governments change. Leaders change. And political statuses change. That is the essence of our Republic.

Justice delayed is justice denied.

That has been the problem all along.