American Military News by Robert Harding - The Citizen December 19, 2022
Congresswoman Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon represents 3.2 million people, but could not vote on a bill that would allow them to determine their future.
For Gonzalez-Colon, the resident-commissioner of Puerto Rico who is a non-voting member of Congress, it’s one example why the bill, which the House passed by a 233-191 vote on Thursday, is so important.
The legislation would schedule a vote in 2023 and give Puerto Ricans three options: statehood, independence or free association. The first two options are obvious: Either Puerto Rico would become the 51st state or it would be an independent country. Free association is a bit more complex. Puerto Rico would be a sovereign nation but enter into a compact with the U.S. covering a range of issues, including economic and military relations.
There are three freely associated states that have such agreements with the United States — the Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands and Palau.
Gonzalez-Colon, a Republican, was involved in drafting the legislation sponsored by U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva, an Arizona Democrat.
More:
https://americanmilitarynews.com/2022/12/house-oks-bill-to-decolonize-puerto-rico-statehood-an-option/
