Nydia M. Velazquez: “Mr. Chairman, today has been an education for a lot of Americans watching this debate. Perhaps some people have learned…”

“Mr. Chairman, today has been an education for a lot of Americans watching this debate. Perhaps some people have learned about the passions surrounding this debate. Maybe some people have come to understand at least a little bit how proud the people of Puerto Rico are to be American citizens, how proud we are to live in a democracy in which the concept of free and open debate not only survives but thrives. Of course, Mr. Chairman, I am a product of that freedom. I am an American citizen born on the island of Puerto Rico, came to the mainland, was elected to Congress and stand before this body a full-fledged voting Member of this great legislative body. I have a great respect for this institution, but I am concerned that a process is about to be imposed on the people of Puerto Rico that is anything but democratic. I appreciate the intention of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to allow for the self-determination of the people of Puerto Rico. I have said this before and I will say it again. This bill is not about self-determination. It is about statehood. This bill is the product of a process that did not consult the very people it affects the most.”