The United States and Puerto Rico have had a rollercoaster relationship. In 1898, the territory was ceded to the United States as a result of the Spanish-American War, but it wasn’t until 1917 that Puerto Ricans were granted American citizenship. Even today, people living in Puerto Rico are not able to vote in presidential or congressional elections. Puerto Ricans also do not receive full federal support from programs such as Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (which provides assistance to low-income seniors and people with disabilities). Additionally, despite the fact that Puerto Ricans are subject to federal laws, they have no say in what those laws are. This contradicts some of the founding principles of the United States. Democracy, particularly American democracy, is built on the idea that the government is for the people, by the people. For Puerto Ricans, this is not the case. A lack in federal representation means they are being controlled as if they were living under a monarchy. As a result of this, over the last few years, the Puerto Rican cry for statehood has reached new volumes. Because of the potential benefits to the territory as well as the need to uphold democratic principles, Puerto Rico should be granted state status.
Statehood would also undoubtedly boost the territory's struggling economy. In 2017, the Puerto Rican government declared bankruptcy after decades of mismanagement and excessive borrowing. In addition, the territory's population has been rapidly declining for the past two decades, leading to slow GDP growth and a strain on social programs. Statehood would almost certainly improve the territory's economy. It would allow for more government support and would give the territory access to federal programs already working to help states in the U.S. It would also allow for a federal minimum wage and labor protections for Puerto Ricans.
The main barrier to Puerto Rican statehood is American politics. Many political analysts believe Puerto Rico would likely lean Democratic given the voting patterns of Puerto Ricans on the mainland and local political dynamics. It would likely receive five seats in the House of Representatives as well as two in the Senate. This has led to a Republican opposition towards Puerto Rico’s full incorporation into the Union, stalling its admission for years.
In addition, some argue that Puerto Ricans shouldn’t want to change their status. Roger Pilon, a constitutional scholar at Cato Institute, claims that individuals in Puerto Rico have the best of both worlds. As U.S. citizens, they can come and go from the U.S. as they please, but they don’t have to pay either federal income taxes or capital gains taxes on investments. While it is true that taxes are lower for people living in Puerto Rico, this claim only takes into account the people who have the financial luxury to leave the territory at will. It also fails to take into account Puerto Rico’s economic struggles. Even with a slightly higher tax rate, Puerto Ricans would benefit from statehood and the funding that comes with it.
Ultimately, the question of Puerto Rico’s statehood raises fundamental issues about representation, equality, and democracy in the United States. As long as Puerto Ricans remain U.S. citizens without full political rights, the nation’s democratic ideals remain unfulfilled, and millions of Puerto Rican Americans are left in limbo.