It is the right thing to do. It is the courageous thing to do, and I welcome the debate.

The right to vote, to participate in politics, and to shape the direction of the democracy we share...

Your support for H.R. 1522 and S. 780 will reaffirm the most sacred principles upon which our system of government was founded and will strengthen our democracy.

It is time for Congress to begin the admission process that Puerto Rico's voters clearly favor.

I therefore ask that you respond to the will of the United States citizens of Puerto Rico with legislation that will initiate the admission of Puerto Rico as a state.

Let us be clear, Puerto Rico held fair and clean elections on November 3, 2020, where the latest political status plebiscite took place.

I respect those on both sides of the aisle who are looking at the bill holistically and working hard to get to a 'yes.'

If we cannot get a balanced, bipartisan bill to the President's desk, the consequences for Puerto Rico and the island's creditors are likely to be grave.

Otherwise, this is not going to happen. Puerto Rico is going to continue deteriorating, people are going to continue migrating to the states, and it is going to be an embarrassment not only for Puerto Rico, but for the United States at…

I believe these titles are a dramatic improvement over the earlier version of the bill and now, more or less, strike the appropriate balance between effectiveness in instilling fiscal discipline and respect for the democratic process.

Let's work this bill. Let's get it done.