Political Quotes

“Madam Speaker, on Wednesday, the House will consider H.R. 2499, the Puerto Rico Democracy Act. I am proud to support this bipartisan bill which would allow the residents of Puerto Rico the opportunity to voice their opinions on the status of the island's relationship to the mainland, to the United States, through a federally sanctioned plebiscite. Nearly 4 million U.S. citizens currently reside in Puerto Rico and my congressional district in South Florida is home to nearly 20,000 American citizens of Puerto Rican descent. Although Puerto Rico has been a U.S. territory for more than 100 years, Congress has never asked those American citizens residing in Puerto Rico to express their opinion on the territory's political status. This bill does not exclude any viable status option nor does it provide for a change in status to be automatically implemented. Instead, the bill initiates a long overdue process of consultation with the U.S. citizens of Puerto Rico. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the Puerto Rico Democracy Act when it comes to a vote later this week. ____________________”