Puerto Rico Governor Signs Resolution Requesting U.S. Statehood

Jenniffer González seeks congressional action to admit Puerto Rico as the 51st state; resolution will be sent to President Donald Trump and members of Congress

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Puerto Rico Governor Jenniffer González has signed a resolution formally requesting that the United States Congress approve the island’s admission as a state of the Union.

The resolution, signed Friday, calls on Congress to exercise its constitutional authority to establish a process for Puerto Rico to become a U.S. state on equal terms with the existing states.

The measure states that lawmakers formally request Congress, under Article IV, Section 3, Clause 1 of the U.S. Constitution, to enact legislation providing for Puerto Rico’s admission to the Union.

González announced the signing alongside members of the island’s Legislature. Although the presidents of both legislative chambers had signed the measure, Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz and House Speaker Carlos “Johnny” Méndez were not present at the press conference.

Approved in both Spanish and English, the resolution directs that copies be sent to President Donald Trump, the president of the U.S. Senate, the speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, and every member of Congress.

The action formally communicates Puerto Rico’s request for statehood to federal officials and places the issue before Congress for consideration.

A decision that rests with Congress

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Although the governor’s signature advances the resolution’s formal request, it does not make Puerto Rico a state. Admission requires congressional action under the U.S. Constitution.

The statehood question remains a major issue in Puerto Rico’s political future, involving the island’s relationship with the United States and questions of representation, federal taxation, and political status.

The resolution’s transmission to Washington is intended to ensure that the request reaches the president and federal lawmakers responsible for considering the island’s admission.

For Puerto Rico, the next significant step is whether Congress will take action on the request.