Puerto Rico Self-Determination Act of 2021 This bill establishes a process for the people of Puerto Rico to vote on the political status (e.g., statehood) of the territory. Congress may ratify the decision through a joint resolution. The bill declares that the legislature of Puerto Rico has the authority to call a status convention regarding the political status of the territory. The bill provides for public financing of delegate elections to the status convention and establishes a Congressional Bilateral Negotiating Commission to provide advice and consultation to delegates of the status convention. The status convention must provide self-determination options for a referendum of the people of Puerto Rico. Ranked-choice voting is a permitted format for the referendum. Delegates shall carry out an educational campaign through traditional paid media related to the referendum. The bill provides for congressional consideration of a joint resolution to ratify the self-determination option selected through the referendum.
Advisory bodiesCaribbean areaCongressional oversightElections, voting, political campaign regulationGovernment information and archivesGovernment trust fundsLegislative rules and procedurePolitical representationPuerto RicoSovereignty, recognition, national governance and statusState and local government operationsU.S. territories and protectorates
Puerto Rico Self-Determination Act of 2021
USA117th CongressS-865| Senate
| Updated: 3/18/2021
Puerto Rico Self-Determination Act of 2021 This bill establishes a process for the people of Puerto Rico to vote on the political status (e.g., statehood) of the territory. Congress may ratify the decision through a joint resolution. The bill declares that the legislature of Puerto Rico has the authority to call a status convention regarding the political status of the territory. The bill provides for public financing of delegate elections to the status convention and establishes a Congressional Bilateral Negotiating Commission to provide advice and consultation to delegates of the status convention. The status convention must provide self-determination options for a referendum of the people of Puerto Rico. Ranked-choice voting is a permitted format for the referendum. Delegates shall carry out an educational campaign through traditional paid media related to the referendum. The bill provides for congressional consideration of a joint resolution to ratify the self-determination option selected through the referendum.
Advisory bodiesCaribbean areaCongressional oversightElections, voting, political campaign regulationGovernment information and archivesGovernment trust fundsLegislative rules and procedurePolitical representationPuerto RicoSovereignty, recognition, national governance and statusState and local government operationsU.S. territories and protectorates