Full Bill Text

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.

Full Bill Text

Full Bill Text