SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1) Puerto Rico was ceded to the United States 
and came under this Nation’s sovereignty pursuant 
to the Treaty of Paris ending the Spanish-American 
War in 1898. Article IX of the Treaty of Paris rec-
ognized the authority of Congress to provide for the 
political status of the inhabitants of the territory. 
Puerto Rico remained under the direct control of 
United States military forces until Congress enacted 
the Foraker Act (Public Law 56–191) on April 12, 
1900, bringing a civilian government, appointed by 
the President of the United States, to the island. 
(2) Consistent with the establishment of United 
States nationality for the inhabitants of Puerto Rico 
under the Treaty of Paris, in 1917, Congress exer-
cised its powers under the Territorial Clause of the 
United States Constitution (article IV, section 3, 
clause 2) to provide for the United States citizenship 
status of persons born in Puerto Rico (Public Law 
64–368). 
(3) Under rulings of the United States Su-
preme Court, including Balzac v. People of Porto 
Rico, 258 U.S. 298 (1922), only ambiguous, incon-
sistent and indirect application of the United States 
Constitution has been established in the unincor-
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porated territories of the United States including 
Puerto Rico. 
(4) In 1950, Congress prescribed a procedure 
for instituting limited internal self-government for 
Puerto Rico pursuant to statutory authorization for 
a local constitution (Public Law 81–600). As a re-
sult, a local constitution was approved by the people 
of Puerto Rico, ratified by Congress, subject to con-
forming amendments enacted by Puerto Rico, and 
thereupon given effect in 1952. 
(5) The approved constitution established a re-
publican form of government in conformity with the 
United States Constitution and the principles of the 
Declaration of Independence and is the functional 
equivalent of a State constitution, but did not re-
strict the authority of Congress under the Territorial 
Clause to determine the application of Federal law 
to Puerto Rico. Congress’ plenary power under the 
Territorial Clause was most recently and dramati-
cally evidenced in 2016 with the enactment of the 
Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic 
Stability Act (Public Law 114–187). 
(6) Congressional policies to date have disen-
franchised the approximately 3,400,000 United 
States citizens residing in Puerto Rico who do not 
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enjoy a democratic form of government at the na-
tional level as they cannot vote in the election of the 
President and Vice President of the United States, 
are not represented in the United States Senate, and 
only have one Resident Commissioner in the United 
States House of Representatives, who can only vote 
in the Congressional committees to which she or he 
is assigned. 
(7) Furthermore, the Federal Government may, 
and often does, treat the United States citizens re-
siding in Puerto Rico unequally under most Federal 
programs and other laws applicable to the several 
States and their residents. In its December 14, 
2016, Report to Congress, the Congressional Task 
Force on Economic Growth in Puerto Rico estab-
lished that the territory is not treated equally with 
the States under more than 40 Federal statutes. 
(8) The limitations of, and unequal treatment 
under, territory status has left Puerto Rico under- 
developed when compared to the States and has sub-
stantially contributed to its fiscal and economic cri-
sis, forcing a massive exodus that has resulted in 
5,400,000 United States citizens of Puerto Rican 
ancestry living in the United States mainland. 
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(9) Puerto Rico has been under United States 
sovereignty and within the United States customs 
territory for close to 120 years, making Puerto Rico 
the oldest, largest, and most populous colony in the 
world, yet Congress has failed to respond to the peo-
ple of Puerto Rico’s continued quest for equality and 
self-determination. 
(10) It has been the longstanding policy of the 
United States that the United States citizens of a 
territory can democratically determine whether it 
should eventually become a State or a sovereign na-
tion. 
(11) On November 6, 2012, the Government of 
Puerto Rico held a locally sanctioned, two-part plebi-
scite. This plebiscite was consistent with the rec-
ommendations set forth by the President’s Task 
Force on Puerto Rico’s Status Report to Congress 
of March 2011. The first question asked if Puerto 
Rico should continue to be a territory of the United 
States, and 54 percent of the voters rejected terri-
tory status. The second question asked the voters to 
express their preference among the three possible 
and internationally recognized permanent alter-
natives to territory status—statehood, independence, 
or nationhood in free association with the United 
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States—and 61 percent of the voters who selected 
an option chose statehood. The number of votes cast 
for statehood on the second question exceeded the 
number of votes cast for continued territory status 
on the first question. 
(12) On June 11, 2017, the Government of 
Puerto Rico held yet another status plebiscite to rat-
ify the results of the 2012 vote, on a ballot amended 
to specifically comply with the United States De-
partment of Justice’s requirements pursuant to Pub-
lic Law 113–76. In this plebiscite, statehood re-
ceived 97 percent, free association/independence re-
ceived 1.5 percent, and current territorial status re-
ceived 1.3 percent of the votes cast. 
(13) Puerto Ricans have contributed greatly to 
the Nation in all fields of endeavor, both in war and 
in peace. Over 250,000 have served in the United 
States Armed Forces, many paying the ultimate sac-
rifice. They not only deserve, but have earned the 
right to have their voices heard. 
(14) Last year marked the 100th anniversary 
of the granting of United States citizenship to the 
people of Puerto Rico by Congress, who remain 
disenfranchised and trapped in a second-class citi-
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zenship that denies them the same rights and re-
sponsibilities as their fellow citizens in the States. 
(15) Equality within the Nation is required for 
a healthy American economy and essential for Puer-
to Rico’s social and economic well-being as well as 
for basic reasons of democracy. Puerto Rico should 
be transitioned into equality within the Union. 
SEC. 3. PURPOSE. 
The purpose of the Act is to respond to, and comply 
with, the democratic will of the United States citizens re-
siding in Puerto Rico as expressed in the plebiscites held 
on November 6, 2012, and June 11, 2017, by setting forth 
the terms for the admission of the territory of Puerto Rico 
as a State of the Union. 
SEC. 4. ADMISSION. 
Subject to the provisions of this Act, and upon the 
issuance of the proclamation by the President of the 
United States required by section 6 of this Act, the terri-
tory of Puerto Rico thereupon shall become a State of the 
United States, and admitted into the Union on an equal 
footing and in true permanent union with the other States 
in all respects whatsoever. 
SEC. 5. TRANSITION PROCESS. 
(a) STATE CONSTITUTION.—The constitution of the 
State of Puerto Rico shall always be republican in form 
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and shall be in conformity with the Constitution of the 
United States. The current constitution of Puerto Rico is 
deemed to be republican in form and in conformity with 
the Constitution of the United States and is hereby ac-
cepted as the constitution of the State of Puerto Rico. 
(b) PLEBISCITE RESULTS DEEMED SUFFICIENT.— 
Immediately upon the enactment of this Act, the results 
of the November 6, 2012, and June 11, 2017, status plebi-
scites are deemed sufficient to trigger the transition proc-
ess to Statehood set forth in this section. This section does 
not preclude additional democratic self-determination 
under local or Federal law. 
(c) TASK FORCE ON EQUALITY FOR THE UNITED 
STATES CITIZENS OF PUERTO RICO.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established 
within the legislative branch a Congressional Task 
Force on Equality for the United States Citizens of 
Puerto Rico (hereinafter referred to as the ‘‘Task 
Force’’). 
(2) DUTIES.—The Task Force shall— 
(A) survey the laws of the United States 
and make recommendations to Congress and 
the President of the United States as to how 
laws that do not apply to the territory of Puer-
to Rico or apply differently to the territory than 
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to the several States should be amended or re-
pealed to phase-in equal treatment of Puerto 
Rico with the several States, as appropriate, no 
later than January 1, 2021; 
(B) make recommendations on potential 
temporary economic measures to assist Puerto 
Rico’s transition from a territory to a State, 
seeking the greatest degree of flexibility for the 
phase-in of Federal programs and the develop-
ment of the territory’s economy through fiscal 
incentives, alternative tax arrangements, and 
other measures; 
(C) propose timelines and rules guiding 
elections for Federal offices; and 
(D) study the effect of Puerto Rico’s ad-
mission as a State on the existing apportion-
ment in the House of Representatives. 
(3) MEMBERSHIP.—The Task Force shall be 
comprised of 9 Members as follows: 
(A) Four Members of the House of Rep-
resentatives, two of whom shall be appointed by 
the Speaker of the House of Representatives, 
and two of whom shall be appointed by the mi-
nority leader of the House of Representatives. 
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(B) Four Members of the Senate, two of 
whom shall be appointed by the majority leader 
of the Senate, and two of whom shall be ap-
pointed by the minority leader of the Senate. 
(C) The Resident Commissioner of Puerto 
Rico. 
(4) DEADLINE
FOR
APPOINTMENT.—Appoint-
ments to the Task Force shall be made not later 
than 30 days after the date of enactment of this 
Act. 
(5) CHAIR.—The Speaker of the House of Rep-
resentatives shall designate one Member to serve as 
Chair of the Task Force. 
(6) VACANCIES.—Any vacancy in the Task 
Force shall be filled in the same manner as the 
original appointment. 
(7) AGENCY COOPERATION.—The Departments 
and agencies of the executive branch and all offices 
and entities of the legislative branch of shall— 
(A) cooperate with the Task Force in car-
rying out its duties; and 
(B) furnish it with such information and 
technical assistance as may be requested, in-
cluding, but not limited to, views, recommenda-
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tions, and drafting services on the measures 
needed to fulfill the Task Force’s mandate. 
(8) REPORTS.— 
(A) Not later than 270 calendar days after 
its establishment, the Task Force shall submit 
a preliminary report of its recommendations to 
the House of Representatives, the Senate, and 
the President of the United States. 
(B) Not later than 120 calendar days after 
the submission of the preliminary report, the 
Task Force shall submit a final report of its 
recommendations to the House of Representa-
tives, the Senate, and the President of the 
United States. 
(C) To the greatest extent practicable, the 
reports issued pursuant to subparagraphs (A) 
and (B) shall reflect the shared views of all 9 
Members of the Task Force but the reports 
may contain dissenting views. 
(9) CONGRESSIONAL INTENT.—The enactment 
of this Act expresses the intent of Congress to pass 
legislation based upon the Task Force’s final report. 
(10) TERMINATION.—Upon issuing the final re-
port under paragraph (8)(B), the Task Force shall 
terminate. 
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