Official Bill Info

• Latest Action: May 19, 2010 Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Date of scheduled hearing. SD-366. 9:30 a.m.

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• Committee Assignment: House Natural Resources

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  This bill has been assigned to the House Natural Resources committee.
• Committee Assignment: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

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  This bill has been assigned to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources committee.
This bill's most-recent vote occurred on April 29, 2010, with a roll call of 223 ayes, 169 nays, and 37 not voting.
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This bill's most-recent vote occurred on April 29, 2010, with a roll call of 223 ayes, 169 nays, and 37 not voting.

Bill Statistics on OpenCongress

Contribution Data

OpenCongress Bill Summary

• Provides for referendums in Puerto Rico to determine its political status.

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  Here's a summary from OpenCongress.org: Provides for referendums in Puerto Rico to determine its political status.

Supporting Organizations

• Traditional Values Coalition

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• The Heritage Foundation

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• Puerto Rico Statehood Students Association

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  I know that the organization Puerto Rico Statehood Students Association supports H.R.2499
• Center for Puerto Rico Equality & Advancement

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  I know that the organization Center for Puerto Rico Equality & Advancement supports H.R.2499

Opposing Organizations

• The John Birch Society

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  I know that the organization The John Birch Society opposes H.R.2499
• New Hampshire Tea Party Coalition

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  I know that the organization New Hampshire Tea Party Coalition opposes H.R.2499
• Puerto Rico Independence Party

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  I know that the organization Puerto Rico Independence Party opposes H.R.2499
• Statehood Hawaii

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  I know that the organization Statehood Hawaii opposes H.R.2499

Most-commented sections of the bill text

• (2) Sovereignty in Association with the United States: Puerto Rico and the United States should form a political association between sovereign nations that will not be subject to the Territorial Clause of the United States Constitution. If you agree, mark here XX. (4 comments, Link )

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  specifically, this section of the legislation: "(2) Sovereignty in Association with the United States: Puerto Rico and the United States should form a political association between sovereign nations that will not be subject to the Territorial Clause of the United States Constitution. If you agree, mark here XX.",
• (b) Procedure if Majority in First Plebiscite Favors Option 1- If a majority of the ballots in the plebiscite are cast in favor of Option 1, the Government of Puerto Rico is authorized to conduct additional plebiscites under subsection (a) at intervals of every 8 years from the date that the results of the prior plebiscite are certified under section 3(d). (3 comments, Link )

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  specifically, this section of the legislation: "(b) Procedure if Majority in First Plebiscite Favors Option 1- If a majority of the ballots in the plebiscite are cast in favor of Option 1, the Government of Puerto Rico is authorized to conduct additional plebiscites under subsection (a) at intervals of every 8 years from the date that the results of the prior plebiscite are certified under section 3(d).",
• (a) First Plebiscite- The Government of Puerto Rico is authorized to conduct a plebiscite in Puerto Rico. The 2 options set forth on the ballot shall be preceded by the following statement: ‘Instructions: Mark one of the following 2 options: (3 comments, Link )

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  specifically, this section of the legislation: "(a) First Plebiscite- The Government of Puerto Rico is authorized to conduct a plebiscite in Puerto Rico. The 2 options set forth on the ballot shall be preceded by the following statement: ‘Instructions: Mark one of the following 2 options:",
• (1) ensure that all ballots used for any plebiscite held under this Act include the full content of the ballot printed in English; (2 comments, Link )

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  specifically, this section of the legislation: "(1) ensure that all ballots used for any plebiscite held under this Act include the full content of the ballot printed in English;",
• Passed the House of Representatives April 29, 2010. (2 comments, Link )

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  specifically, this section of the legislation: "Passed the House of Representatives April 29, 2010.",

Highest Rated User Comments

• On April 28, 2010, by scion657 - United States gave birth to a child called Puerto Rico. Provided economic support and security and made it grow as one of its own. Covered us with the US Constitution blanket. Gave us US Citizen by birth just like anyone born in Montana or Utah. Does my US citizenship is less a citizenship than somebody in Wyoming?. Can US Government tell a sovereign sate what to do and how?. No!!! Then why can they do it in Puerto Rico (I just remembered we are not "allowed" to have Congressmen or Senators to speak for us) Certainly I am not white or have green eyes but for sure I saved a lot of fellow continental USA caucasians in Irak. I have shared by sweat and blood this patriotism. Same as my budy from Arkansas. Now I fly US Air Force planes but I ask the Congress if they can tell me- and other 4 million american citizens- if I have the right or not to vote to choose my Commander in Chief. That at least. 112 years of this is enough. GIVE US STATEHOOD OR INDEPENDANCE BUT STOP COLONIALISM SLAVERY.

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  As noted by scion657, a user on OpenCongress.org, on April 28, 2010, "United States gave birth to a child called Puerto Rico. Provided economic support and security and made it grow as one of its own. Covered us with the US Constitution blanket. Gave us US Citizen by birth just like anyone born in Montana or Utah. Does my US citizenship is less a citizenship than somebody in Wyoming?. Can US Government tell a sovereign sate what to do and how?. No!!! Then why can they do it in Puerto Rico (I just remembered we are not "allowed" to have Congressmen or Senators to speak for us) Certainly I am not white or have green eyes but for sure I saved a lot of fellow continental USA caucasians in Irak. I have shared by sweat and blood this patriotism. Same as my budy from Arkansas. Now I fly US Air Force planes but I ask the Congress if they can tell me- and other 4 million american citizens- if I have the right or not to vote to choose my Commander in Chief. That at least. 112 years of this is enough. GIVE US STATEHOOD OR INDEPENDANCE BUT STOP COLONIALISM SLAVERY."
• On March 14, 2010, by julianjbava - All of my life, as a Puerto Rican citizen, I've wanted to see the status issue be resolved once and for all. Unfortunately, I cannot support this bill. It is disgustingly biased towards statehood and even more so against the current status, which a great portion of the island actually support. Despite being a firm believer in statehood myself, I approve of this garbage labeled as "democracy." Congress seems to have a thing with that. For instance, the bill that takes away our freedom as Americans the most is patriotic, according to its title. Doublethink doubleplusgood?

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  As noted by julianjbava, a user on OpenCongress.org, on March 14, 2010, "All of my life, as a Puerto Rican citizen, I've wanted to see the status issue be resolved once and for all. Unfortunately, I cannot support this bill. It is disgustingly biased towards statehood and even more so against the current status, which a great portion of the island actually support. Despite being a firm believer in statehood myself, I approve of this garbage labeled as "democracy." Congress seems to have a thing with that. For instance, the bill that takes away our freedom as Americans the most is patriotic, according to its title. Doublethink doubleplusgood? "
• On April 23, 2010, by mraith - Puerto Rico should be a sovereign nation. I do not believe this bill is the right bill for the job. The right bill would simply relinquish the US hold on Puerto Rico; Puerto Ricans could then set up whatever form of government they wish.

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  As noted by mraith, a user on OpenCongress.org, on April 23, 2010, "Puerto Rico should be a sovereign nation. I do not believe this bill is the right bill for the job. The right bill would simply relinquish the US hold on Puerto Rico; Puerto Ricans could then set up whatever form of government they wish. "

Highly Rated Blog Articles

• OpenCongress - 112th Congress - Track bills, votes, senators, and ... - January 17, 2012 by opencongress.org - OpenCongress brings together official government data with news and blog coverage to give you the real story behind each bill. ... For more information and to joint today's protest, please see: http://sopastrike.com. The Participatory Politics Founda

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  As noted by opencongress.org on January 17, 2012, "OpenCongress brings together official government data with news and blog coverage to give you the real story behind each bill. ... For more information and to joint today's protest, please see: http://sopastrike.com. The Participatory Politics Founda" (/url?q=http://www.opencongress.org/pipa&sa=U&ei=ZEYiT6jBDK-r2AWSlYXfDg&ved=0CB0QmAEwAA&usg=AFQjCNHLa2Nut26GvOhKqYTTX75uG8omRg)
• OpenCongress - 112th Congress - Track bills, votes, senators, and ... - January 17, 2012 by opencongress.org - OpenCongress brings together official government data with news and blog coverage to give you the real story behind each bill. ... For more information and to joint today's protest, please see: http://sopastrike.com. The Participatory Politics Founda

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  As noted by opencongress.org on January 17, 2012, "OpenCongress brings together official government data with news and blog coverage to give you the real story behind each bill. ... For more information and to joint today's protest, please see: http://sopastrike.com. The Participatory Politics Founda" (/url?q=http://www.opencongress.org/pipa&sa=U&ei=mp0hT8WwOLLE2QWsrZTfDw&ved=0CB0QmAEwAA&usg=AFQjCNE0eB_qs-ugzF8-mhEE3cg-6RZvQw)
• OpenCongress - 112th Congress - Track bills, votes, senators, and ... - January 17, 2012 by opencongress.org - OpenCongress brings together official government data with news and blog coverage to give you the real story behind each bill. ... For more information and to joint today's protest, please see: http://sopastrike.com. The Participatory Politics Founda

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  As noted by opencongress.org on January 17, 2012, "OpenCongress brings together official government data with news and blog coverage to give you the real story behind each bill. ... For more information and to joint today's protest, please see: http://sopastrike.com. The Participatory Politics Founda" (/url?q=http://www.opencongress.org/pipa&sa=U&ei=IPUgT_K1NuX6sQKbpZylCQ&ved=0CB0QmAEwAA&usg=AFQjCNHfI3uheljNBC4xwi-sjDoPxqDFuA)

Highly Rated News Articles

• Senador Eder Ortiz asegura Fortuño "vende la isla de la fantasía" a ... - May 18, 2010 by Primera Hora - ... congresistas estadounidenses, en referencia a las gestiones que hace el mandatario en Washington para que sea aprobado el proyecto de estatus HR 2499. ...

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  As noted by Primera Hora on May 18, 2010, " ... congresistas estadounidenses, en referencia a las gestiones que hace el mandatario en Washington para que sea aprobado el proyecto de estatus HR 2499. ... " (http://www.primerahora.com/senadorederortizasegurafortunovendelaisladelafantasiaacongresistasestadounidenses-388301.html)
• Fortuño aboga por una sola consulta - May 18, 2010 by El Nuevo Dia.com - 9:44 am - “Cuando la Cámara de Representantes aprobó por amplio margen el HR 2499, se hizo claro que existen sólo tres alternativas posibles al estatus ...

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  As noted by El Nuevo Dia.com on May 18, 2010, " 9:44 am - “Cuando la Cámara de Representantes aprobó por amplio margen el HR 2499, se hizo claro que existen sólo tres alternativas posibles al estatus ... " (http://www.elnuevodia.com/fortunoabogaporunasolaconsulta-707567.html)
• Estadistas harán inscripciones en universidades - May 18, 2010 by Primera Hora - Explicaron que mientras el HR 2499 se debate en el Senado federal, los universitarios estadistas dedicarán el transcurso del año académico 2010-2011 para ...

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  As noted by Primera Hora on May 18, 2010, " Explicaron que mientras el HR 2499 se debate en el Senado federal, los universitarios estadistas dedicarán el transcurso del año académico 2010-2011 para ... " (http://www.primerahora.com/estadistasharaninscripcionesenuniversidades-388248.html)