This resolution will send an unequivocal message to the executive and judiciary branches of our government that we repudiate the cultural biases that these cases are based on.

it is crucial that Congress go beyond just renouncing the Insular Cases and use its constitutional power

I will also submit to the record other further questions.

It is not the Insular Cases that deny the residents of the territories voting representation; Articles I and II of the Constitution do.

I am proud to represent the voices of Puerto Rico in Congress.

The solution chosen by voters in Puerto Rico to determine its ultimate political status is clear.

The Insular Cases as written denies democracy and equality and reflects abhorrent bias.

Mr. Chairman, I just want to introduce to the record the book of 'The De Facto Incorporated, U.S. Territory of Puerto Rico' of Mr. Gregorio Igartua.

I agree that Congress should act, and then the Court will follow.

Thank you, Madam Chairwoman Kaptur and Ranking Member Simpson for hosting these opportunities for members and allowing me the opportunity to testify from Puerto Rico.

The status quo is dead and the democratic will of the people of Puerto Rico is undeniable.

After all, isn't the American Experience about freedom and equality?

All those people that campaigned and voted against the statehood bill in the yes-or-no questions in November, do they have the right to overcome that majority?

The only acceptable response to this clear expression of a desire for permanent status as a state of the Union is the enactment of H.R. 1522, the Puerto Rico Statehood Admission Act.

Some argue that the result of November of last year was an invalid or illegitimate mandate for statehood...

Should Puerto Rico require that?

Thank you, Mr. Gosar, for yielding and always in helping Puerto Rico in many of the issues and tasks.

The bipartisan H.R. 1522 would constitute Congress's response to our fellow citizens in Puerto Rico and provide a formal offer of statehood.

We are watching. The world is watching to see if our civil rights will continue to be violated and by whom.

we are answering to that request and that request of statehood and equality, with that stated bill.

That bill is truly a slap in the face to Puerto Rican voters!

Perhaps most importantly, under this legislation, for the very first time, the world's oldest and greatest democracy would offer equality to citizens who have been unequal to their fellow Americans for well over a century.

52 percent of the vote was for statehood, which is an absolute majority, and just 47 percent against.

the status of statehood got more votes than any elected official, the Governor, myself, mayors, and state legislators.

those margins are not good enough for the people of Puerto Rico to establish their vote for statehood.