"After the election in November, we deserve a real debate on this, and we are getting it today finally."
"My family's native island of Puerto Rico has been through so much hardship over the last few years..."
"That has been the problem all along."
"Justice delayed is justice denied."
"Governments change. Leaders change. And political statuses change. That is the essence of our Republic."
"A minority of Puerto Ricans on the island are pushing for a concept called enhanced commonwealth status. This is, of course, not a thing."
"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."
"I ask the Congress to let our people vote. Let the will of the majority prevail, and let democracy be done in these United States of America and not let this be about personalities or alliances."
"Your support for the Puerto Rico Statehood Admission Act will reaffirm the most sacred principles upon which our system of government was founded and strengthen our democracy."
"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."
"I strongly urge the Members of this Committee to reject this approach."