I want to begin by expressing my appreciation to Chairman Rahall. Both of us believe that after 111 years, it is imperative that the 111th Congress finally ask the people of Puerto Rico for their views on the island's future.

The ballot results will speak for themselves.

the real consensus here is that many of those people who don't want the people of Puerto Rico to have a real vote to decide our future want us and want this Committee to continue the delay of that purpose

I am describing statehood. There is nothing wrong with that, but it is just the language used.

I agree with now-President Obama. This bill, 2499, doesn't deal with either issue, either citizenship or a transfer of Puerto Rico to a foreign nation.

I disagree with you.

I see that both of you are concerned with the fact that the bill doesn't specify or describe the current status as territorial, as a territory, as what it is.

The bill says, sovereignty in association with the United States.

The Popular Democratic Party believes in a political association with dignity, not colonial or territorial, between Puerto Rico and the United States.

The issue is 'and has always been--how far does the Southern border of the U.S. extend into Latin America and the Caribbean.'

However, we propose that H.R. 2499 be amended to incorporate more precise and clear definitions of the alternatives to be submitted to the voters, such as those contained in H.R. 900, filed by Congressman Jose Serrano and Luis Fortuno, by…