U.S. Supreme Court, Upholds Exclusion of Puerto Ricans, from Federal Benefits Program.<br />Associated Press reports the Supreme Court has ruled <br />that Congress is within its power to deny Puerto Rican citizens access to a federal benefits program.<br />Associated Press reports the Supreme Court has ruled <br />that Congress is within its power to deny Puerto Rican citizens access to a federal benefits program.<br />The United States' highest court voted eight to one <br />that making Puerto Ricans ineligible for the <br />Supplemental Security Income program <br />did not violate their constitutional rights.<br />The program grants benefits to older, <br />disabled and blind Americans and is available<br />in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. .<br />The one dissenting vote reportedly <br />belonged to Justice Sonia Sotomayor, <br />whose parents were born in Puerto Rico.<br />Puerto Rico has been <br />a territory of the U.S. since <br />the Spanish American War in 1898.<br />Puerto Rico has been <br />a territory of the U.S. since <br />the Spanish American War in 1898.<br />The residents of Puerto Rico <br />are considered U.S. citizens.<br />Puerto Rican citizens are permitted <br />to vote in primaries but not allowed <br />to participate in presidential elections.<br />They also have limited representation in Congress.<br />The AP points out that many <br />Puerto Rican citizens also <br />do not pay federal income tax.<br />Justice Brett Kavanaugh defended the decision, <br />citing an earlier federal ruling that excluded <br />Puerto Rico from being eligible for the SSI. .<br />Justice Brett Kavanaugh defended the decision, <br />citing an earlier federal ruling that excluded <br />Puerto Rico from being eligible for the SSI. .<br />The AP reports that many in Puerto Rico <br />were outraged by the decision, <br />including Governor Pedro Pierluisi.<br />The AP reports that many in Puerto Rico <br />were outraged by the decision, <br />including Governor Pedro Pierluisi.<br />The decision ... once again confirms <br />that the territorial status of Puerto Rico<br />is discriminatory for the island’s <br />U.S. citizens and allows Congress <br />to do what it wants with us, Pedro Pierluisi, governor of Puerto Rico, <br />via Associated Press
