House to Vote , on Historic , Puerto Rico Status Act.<br />On December 15, <br />the House of Representatives will <br />vote on the Puerto Rico Status Act. .<br />'The Independent' reports that the bill proposes <br />to grant Puerto Rican residents a binding referendum <br />on whether to become an American state, <br />an independent nation or a sovereignty of the U.S. .<br />Since 1898, Puerto Rico has been a U.S. territory. .<br />However, the 3.3 million residents of Puerto Rico, <br />who are considered American citizens, are not <br />allowed to vote in presidential elections.<br />'The Independent' reports that Puerto Rican <br />citizens do not pay federal income tax and <br />are not eligible for some federal programs. .<br />The bill was co-sponsored by New York Democrat <br />Nydia Velasquez and Puerto Rico's resident <br />commissioner, Jennifer Gonzalez-Colon. .<br />The bill was co-sponsored by New York Democrat <br />Nydia Velasquez and Puerto Rico's resident <br />commissioner, Jennifer Gonzalez-Colon. .<br />The Puerto Rico Status Act was <br />first approved by the House Natural <br />Resources Committee in July.<br />After 124 years of colonialism, Puerto Ricans <br />deserve a fair, transparent and democratic <br />process to finally solve the status question, Nydia Velasquez, Democratic Representative <br />of New York, via 'The Independent' .<br />Steny Hoyer, the outgoing <br />House majority leader, <br />has also pushed for the bill. .<br />This historic legislation will grant <br />Puerto Ricans the self-determination <br />they deserve and allow them to determine <br />the future of their island themselves, Steny Hoyer, outgoing House <br />majority leader, via 'The Independent' .<br />'The Independent' reports that the bill needs a majority <br />in the House in addition to a minimum of 60 votes in the <br />Senate before it can be approved by President Joe Biden.<br />'The Independent' reports that the bill needs a majority <br />in the House in addition to a minimum of 60 votes in the <br />Senate before it can be approved by President Joe Biden
