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General Discussion

MichMan

(16,929 posts)

22. That's not what I am reading

Reply to Greg_In_SF (Reply #19)

Mon Feb 9, 2026, 02:50 PM

Feb 9

The process for a territory to become a state is governed by the U.S. Constitution, which gives Congress the power to admit new members into the union.For Puerto Rico to achieve statehood, Congress would need to pass an admission act through the standard legislative process, which then requires the President’s signature.

https://legalclarity.org/why-cant-puerto-rico-become-a-state/

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quaint Texas_Blue_Dem Polybius

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What Is Required for Puerto Rico Statehood? [View all] Emile Feb 9 OP

Constitutionally... Boo1 Feb 9 #1

You left out several steps: 1. Congress must pass a law allowing for its admission AFTER hlthe2b Feb 9 #5

It's a simple majority. lastlib Feb 9 #13

Also Boo1 Feb 9 #28

I thought a couple years ago they voted for RubyRose Feb 9 #2

Puerto Rico has had several (non-binding) referenda: hlthe2b Feb 9 #7

As recently as 2024, a nonbinding referendum passed FOR statehood hlthe2b Feb 9 #9

You're assuming that Puerto Rico wants to be a state. Climate Crusader Feb 9 #3

A Puerto Rico citizen referendum passing is (along with initial Congressional steps) required hlthe2b Feb 9 #6

It's not Greg_In_SF Feb 9 #4

They already do pay US income taxes. lastlib Feb 9 #11

That's only Greg_In_SF Feb 9 #14

That's about 6 million on the IRS rolls... Kid Berwyn Feb 9 #18

You're confusing Greg_In_SF Feb 9 #20

I'm not confusing anything. There are about 9.2 million Puerto Rican citizens. Kid Berwyn Feb 9 #21

We're not talking Greg_In_SF Feb 9 #23

We were talking about statehood and who pays income taxes. Kid Berwyn Feb 9 #24

I was referring Greg_In_SF Feb 9 #25

Thank you, now I understand. Kid Berwyn Feb 9 #27

Poverty rate twice that of Mississippi... Melon Feb 9 #31

Yeah. The result of colonization. Kid Berwyn Feb 10 #33

For approximately the same reason Torchlight Feb 9 #12

Puerto Rican statehood is a complex issue that is very polarizing on the island, its not just an opportunity to snatch tritsofme Feb 9 #8

Yes. While the most recent nonbinding (2024) referendum passed for statehood, I doubt it would NOW hlthe2b Feb 9 #10

2024 was a peculiar referendum too, the status quo was not an option, and turnout was relatively low. tritsofme Feb 9 #16

Puerto Ricans need to want it iemanja Feb 9 #15

Trump would never sign off on something like that. OLDMDDEM Feb 9 #17

It wouldn't Greg_In_SF Feb 9 #19

That's not what I am reading MichMan Feb 9 #22

While we're at it, DC statehood too! viva la Feb 9 #26

DC's a separate kind of issue. Igel Feb 9 #29

But statehood is 2 senators viva la Feb 9 #30

That one's more complicated Polybius Feb 9 #32

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