In closing, I want to make this point. ... it is more important for me to secure justice for my people than it is for me to be polite.

Self determination is a choice among options that can be implemented not an exercise in wishful thinking.

It should come as no surprise, given our lack of political power, that the federal government often uses that license.

The wish of the American citizens who voted on this question was clear: Congress should admit Puerto Rico in the Union on an equal footing with all the other states.

a YES or NO plebiscite for statehood is to be held.

No Senator would accept territory status for their constituents. So you must respect that my constituents do not accept it either.

There is consensus that territory status is the root cause of the economic problems that have persisted in Puerto Rico for at least 4 decades.

For the first time ever, this is important.

Territory status should not be an option because it has failed.

I have to protect the right of the pro-independence people to have their option on the ballot.

Moreover, territory status gives the Federal Government license to discriminate against Puerto Rico.