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United States · Bill · HR

H.R. 856 (105th)

United States-Puerto Rico Political Status Act

openUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

27 February 1997

Last action

15 July 1998 · Committee

Status

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held.

Sponsors

Rep. Young, Don [R-AK-At Large], Rep. Gingrich, Newt [R-GA-6], Rescom. Romero-Barcelo, Carlos A. [D-PR-At Large], Rep. Gallegly, Elton [R-CA-24], Rep. Burton, Dan [R-IN-5], Rep. Serrano, Jose E. [D-NY-15], Rep. Kennedy, Patrick J. [D-RI-1], Rep. Calvert, Ken [R-CA-41], Rep. Gilman, Benjamin A. [R-NY-20], Rep. Rahall, Nick J., II [D-WV-3], Rep. Tauzin, W. J. (Billy) [R-LA-3], Rep. Green, Gene [D-TX-29], Rep. McCollum, Bill [R-FL-8], Rep. Deutsch, Peter [D-FL-20], Rep. Pombo, Richard W. [R-CA-11], Rep. Payne, Donald M. [D-NJ-10], Rep. Gilchrest, Wayne T. [R-MD-1], Rep. Jones, Walter B., Jr. [R-NC-3], Rep. Stump, Bob [R-AZ-3], Rep. Sawyer, Tom [D-OH-14], Rep. Fazio, Vic [D-CA-3], Rep. Skeen, Joe [R-NM-2], Rep. Dooley, Calvin M. [D-CA-20], Rep. Kildee, Dale E. [D-MI-5], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Del. Underwood, Robert A. [D-GU-At Large], Rep. Klink, Ron [D-PA-4], Rep. Hinchey, Maurice D. [D-NY-22], Rep. Farr, Sam [D-CA-20], Rep. Wynn, Albert Russell [D-MD-4], Rep. Davis, Tom [R-VA-11], Rep. Hall, Tony P. [D-OH-3], Rep. Jackson Lee, Sheila [D-TX-18], Rep. DeFazio, Peter A. [D-OR-4], Rep. Meek, Carrie P. [D-FL-17], Rep. Kucinich, Dennis J. [D-OH-10], Rep. Barcia, James A. [D-MI-5], Rep. Pastor, Ed [D-AZ-4], Rep. Torres, Esteban Edward [D-CA-34], Rep. Pallone, Frank [D-NJ-6], Rep. Pascrell, Bill, Jr. [D-NJ-9], Rep. Lewis, John [D-GA-5], Rep. Pelosi, Nancy [D-CA-11], Del. Christensen, Donna M. [D-VI-At Large], Rep. Vento, Bruce F. [D-MN-4], Rep. Mink, Patsy T. [D-HI-2], Rep. Pickett, Owen B. [D-VA-2], Rep. Kim, Jay [R-CA-41]

Subjects

Taxation, Education

Source updated

24 March 2026

Taxation · Education

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Summary

United States-Puerto Rico Political Status Act - Declares it is the policy of the Congress that: (1) English shall be the common language of mutual understanding in the United States, and this policy shall apply in all of the States freely admitted to the Union; and (2) if the referenda under this Act result in approval of sovereignty leading to Statehood for Puerto Rico, it is anticipated that English would become the official language of the Federal Government in Puerto Rico. Declares that Congress has the authority to expand existing English language requirements in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Requires a referendum to be held by December 31, 1998, on Puerto Rico's political status, for either: (1) retention of its present Commonwealth status; (2) full self-government through separate sovereignty leading to independence or free association; or (3) full self-government through U.S. sovereignty leading to statehood. Requires the President to develop and submit to the Congress for approval legislation for: (1) a transition plan of at least ten years which leads to full self-government for Puerto Rico; and (2) a recommendation for the implementation of such self-government consistent with Puerto Rico's approval. Requires the transition plan, if the vote favors statehood, to include proposals and incentives to increase the opportunities of the people of Puerto Rico to learn English, including the teaching of English in public schools, fellowships, and scholarships. Requires another referendum within four years, and every four years thereafter (but not in a general election year), if the referendum conducted under this Act, and any subsequent referendum, does not result in a majority vote for separate sovereignty or statehood. Sets forth specified requirements with respect to the referendum and congressional procedures for consideration of legislation. Makes funds available for the referendum, including those derived from the Federal excise tax on foreign rum. Requires the Government of Puerto Rico to make grants to the State Elections Commission of Puerto Rico for referenda held under this Act.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 27 February 1997

    Introduced

    Referred to House Resources

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 27 February 1997

    Introduced

    Referred to the Committee on Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 27 February 1997

    Introduced

    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E351-852)

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 27 February 1997

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  5. 27 February 1997

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  6. 4 March 1997

    Committee

    Executive Comment Requested from Commerce.

    Source: Committee

  7. 19 March 1997

    Committee

    Committee Hearings Held.

    Source: Committee

  8. 19 April 1997

    Committee

    Field Hearings Held in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

    Source: Committee

  9. 21 April 1997

    Committee

    Field Hearings Held in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.

    Source: Committee

  10. 21 May 1997

    Vote

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 44 - 1.

    Source: Committee

  11. 21 May 1997

    Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Source: Committee

  12. 12 June 1997

    Introduced

    House Committee on Rules Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than July 11, 1997.

    Source: IntroReferral

  13. 12 June 1997

    Reported

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Resources. H. Rept. 105-131, Part I.

    Source: Committee

  14. 12 June 1997

    Reported

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Resources. H. Rept. 105-131, Part I.

    Source: Committee

  15. 11 July 1997

    Calendars

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 106.

    Source: Calendars

  16. 11 July 1997

    Discharge

    Committee on Rules discharged.

    Source: Discharge

  17. 11 July 1997

    Committee

    Committee on Rules discharged.

    Source: Committee

  18. 3 March 1998

    Reported

    Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 376 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 856 with 1 hour and 30 minutes of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. In lieu of the amendment recommended by the Committee on Resources now printed in the bill, it shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in the Congressional Record. Measure will be considered read. Bill is open to amendments. Specified amendments are also in order.

    Source: Floor

  19. 4 March 1998

    Floor

    The Clerk was authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 856.

    Source: Floor

  20. 4 March 1998

    Passed

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    Source: Floor

  21. 4 March 1998

    Vote

    On passage Passed by recorded vote: 209 - 208 (Roll no. 37).

    Source: Floor

  22. 4 March 1998

    Vote

    Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 209 - 208 (Roll no. 37).

    Source: Floor

  23. 4 March 1998

    Floor

    The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

    Source: Floor

  24. 4 March 1998

    Floor

    The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 856.

    Source: Floor

  25. 4 March 1998

    Floor

    The Speaker designated the Honorable Lincoln Diaz-Balart to act as Chairman of the Committee.

    Source: Floor

  26. 4 March 1998

    Floor

    House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 376 and Rule XXIII.

    Source: Floor

  27. 4 March 1998

    Floor

    Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 856 with 1 hour and 30 minutes of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. In lieu of the amendment recommended by the Committee on Resources now printed in the bill, it shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in the Congressional Record. Measure will be considered read. Bill is open to amendments. Specified amendments are also in order.

    Source: Floor

  28. 4 March 1998

    Floor

    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 376. (consideration: CR H772-837)

    Source: Floor

  29. 4 March 1998

    Passed

    Rule H. Res. 376 passed House.

    Source: Floor

  30. 5 March 1998

    Introduced

    Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

    Source: IntroReferral

  31. 2 April 1998

    Committee

    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held.

    Source: Committee

  32. 14 July 1998

    Committee

    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held.

    Source: Committee

  33. 15 July 1998

    Committee

    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held.

    Source: Committee

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Documents

11 official files

Referred in Senate (text)

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  • Referred in Senate (text)

    Referred in Senate · EN · 5 March 1998

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  • Referred in Senate (PDF)

    Referred in Senate · EN · 5 March 1998

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  • Engrossed in House (text)

    Engrossed in House · EN · 4 March 1998

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  • Engrossed in House (PDF)

    Engrossed in House · EN · 4 March 1998

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  • Passed House amended

    summary · EN · 4 March 1998

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  • Reported in House (text)

    Reported in House · EN · 11 July 1997

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  • Reported in House (PDF)

    Reported in House · EN · 11 July 1997

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  • Reported to House amended, Part I

    summary · EN · 12 June 1997

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  • Introduced in House (text)

    Introduced in House · EN · 27 February 1997

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  • Introduced in House (PDF)

    Introduced in House · EN · 27 February 1997

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  • Introduced in House

    summary · EN · 27 February 1997

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Sponsors

Showing 48 of 91 sponsors and actors.

Related records

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Sources

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