Puerto Rico Vote Wins!!

By a vote of 209-208, the House of Representatives late Wednesday, March 4, approved H.R. 856, the measure clearing the way for Puerto Rico to hold a plebiscite on becoming the 51st state. Earlier, the House voted 265-153 for an amendment that would subject Puerto Rico, if it becomes a state, to the same language requirements as any other state. That vote scuttled an amendment pushed by statehood opponents that would have declared English the official language of the United States, imposing special requirements on Spanish-speaking Puerto Rico. The plebiscite bill is supported by President Clinton and both Republican and Democratic House leaders. The Senate now has to consider the matter. LULAC President Belen Robles, was in Washington DC all day Wednesday lobbing undecided members of Congress on the importance of passing the bill.

LULAC encourages members to contact their U.S. Senators and encourage them to ask Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-MS) to bring the Puerto Rico issue up this session.

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