Key Votes

HR 856 - Puerto Rico Political Status bill - Key Vote

National Key Votes

Lindsey Graham voted Nay (Passage) on this legislation.

Read recent statements Lindsey Graham made in this general time period.

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Family

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Stage Details

Legislation - Bill Sent To Committee (Senate) -

Legislation - Bill Passed (House) (209-208) - (Key vote)

Title: Puerto Rico Political Status bill

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill requiring Puerto Rico to hold a referendum to determine its future political status.

Highlights:
  • Creates a process for the people of Puerto Rico to decide their future political status through a referendum offering 3 options: continue as a commonwealth, statehood, or independence.
  • Requires the referendum be taken by December 31, 1998.
  • States that the relationship between the United States and Puerto Rico would remain the same if the decision is commonwealth, with referendums held every 10 years thereafter.
  • Dictates that the President must develop a transition plan over the span of 10 years if the decision is statehood within 180 days of the referendum results.
  • States that Puerto Rico will hold a constitutional convention if the decision is independence with a transition plan also of 10 years.
  • Requires Puerto Rico to accept English as the official language of the United States if it decides to puruse statehood.
See The Voting Record

Legislation - Introduced (House) -

Title: Puerto Rico Political Status bill


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