Senators Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal, both Democrats representing Connecticut, have put forth a bill aiming to empower Puerto Rico to establish its political standing via a decisive referendum scheduled for November 2025. The suggested referendum provides residents with the choices of endorsing statehood, pursuing independence, or opting for sovereignty with a free association with the United States. Recognizing the varied perspectives within Connecticut's Puerto Rican community, Murphy underscores the significance of granting the island the autonomy to shape its destiny. Connecticut boasts a substantial Puerto Rican presence, with more than 298,000 residents of Puerto Rican heritage, constituting nearly half of the state's Hispanic population.
Senators contend that Puerto Rico's existing territorial status impedes the island's access to essential resources, particularly in times of disasters. They highlight the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, where Puerto Rico endured prolonged power outages, suggesting that adopting statehood might provide more robust support. Blumenthal condemns the inadequate response to the catastrophe, referencing a moment when then-President Donald Trump tossed rolls of paper towels to survivors during his visit to the island.
Although the Puerto Rico Status Act, proposing a referendum, cleared the House in the previous session, it failed to secure a Senate vote. The senators are now pushing for its reconsideration in the Senate, backed by 21 co-sponsors. Puerto Rico's current status, characterized as an "indefinite second-class status" by Puerto Rico Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González Colón, denies the island's residents the right to vote for the U.S. president and equal representation in Congress.
While concerns have been raised about the absence of an option to vote for maintaining U.S. commonwealth status, the senators underscore their commitment to advocating for statehood if that is the choice of the Puerto Rican people. The destiny of the legislation remains uncertain, necessitating bipartisan support in both chambers for it to advance through Congress and reach President Joe Biden's desk.
