Jenniffer González Advocates for Equality and Democracy for Puerto Rico

Statement

The Resident Commissioner, Jenniffer González Colón, portrayed the democratic disadvantages of territorial status and defended the demand of the people of Puerto Rico to live in democracy and full equality within the United States, during the public hearing held today by the Subcommittee on Elections of the Administration Committee of the House of Representatives, which examined voting rights and the management of elections in the territories.

"The rights to vote, to be equally represented in the governments that make our own laws and that elections are carried out fairly are the most fundamental and essential elements of democracy. I represent 89% of the inhabitants of the 5 territories of the United States ... Those of us who live in the territories, live in jurisdictions that constitutionally does not have a vote in a government that dictates our national laws and that can, and has intervened, with local laws "Said the congresswoman at the beginning of the hearing.

The commissioner explained how territorial status devalues ​​the democratic power that territories may have when the last word falls on Congress, which, although it may allow self-government to possessions, can revoke it at any time, using the application of the law as an example. PROMESA law, and treat differently than states, as is already the case in many federal programs.

She added that the only way that Congress can renounce its power over the territories is for them to become a state or a nation. The only way that the territories can be given representation by vote in Congress or that the residents of the territories can vote for the president is by converting them into a state or by amending the Constitution.

The congresswoman explained that the only other option for the territories to obtain their democracy is to become nations, either totally independent or in a free association with the United States or another nation, in this case any of the nations can terminate the association unilaterally. This would spell the end of American citizenship one way or another.

González Colón indicated that the instability that territorial status represents, as well as the appreciation and admiration for the United States, are the reason why residents of Puerto Rico want the territory to become a state. "We shouldn't move to a state in order to get democracy or equality."

"That the territories can eventually become a state is one of the founding principles of our nation, dating from the Articles of Confederation and newly adopted during the First Congress Session. Puerto Rico wants to become a state of the Union; she wants equality and democracy within the United States. That is why I filed the HR 4901 project, the Puerto Rico Statehood Admission Act, with 60 co-sponsors, including the late John Lewis, to achieve equality for the Island ", concluded González Colón.

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