This bill was introduced earlier this year by Congresswoman Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon (R-PR-AL) and Congressman Darren Soto (D-FL-9)

Not only that--the bill shamelessly ignores the will of voters in Puerto Rico, ignores a legitimate democratic process, and ignores self-determination, despite the bill's misleading title.

I ask you, both on behalf of your fellow Americans in Puerto Rico, and as a clear way to strengthen democracy for all Americans, to respond to the will of the people of Puerto Rico by approving legislation that will initiate the admission…

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

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.

We respect them and are aware of all Congressmen and women's authority to file bills that transcend their districts' limits.

Is it required to have a federally sponsored referendum as a prerequisite for Congress to act?

Statehood is not just about equality, but it is also about empowerment.

people of the island cherish American citizenship, and that is the reason in the last three plebiscites, statehood has won those plebiscites.

There is nowhere to hide anymore, this Congress has the responsibility to act, and act now.

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?

That means a lot for the people of Puerto Rico knowing that Members of Congress... are participating in this hearing.

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

However, we reject using their authority as a subterfuge to impose their will against a clear, direct, and forceful expression of the people.

Let there be no doubt, the weight of their opinions stems from the Territorial Clause and not from the freely and democratically stated will of the people on the Island.

Let me be clear. There is nothing that this other bill, or this other legislation, will offer Puerto Rico that has not been already discussed in 123 years. It is nothing new.

Does the U.S. Constitution require a specific level of majority support for statehood in order to admit a territory as a state?

Should Puerto Rico require that?

Let me be clear, there is nothing that this other legislation will offer to Puerto Rico that has not already been discussed in 123 years.

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

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

I do support it. We voted for that in November of last year.

I would love your office to work with us in terms of looking ways to extend that waiver that we do have for 2 years to make it permanent.

Make the funding available for the territories. This is a priority for millions of Americans who depend on it for our healthcare.

Total Federal funding for the territorial Medicaid programs has been inadequate to meet the healthcare expenditures for patients to receive effective diagnosis, treatment, and care.