Washington DC, – Resident Commissioner in Washington, jennifer gonzalez, He said last night that he was waiting for about 17 Republican amendments that seek to block the referendum bill that will go to vote on the Natural Resources Committee on Wednesday.Given that his delegation has very conservative representation on that committee.
“Nothing we would not have considered. It seems to me that there are several attempts so that nothing happens … I am going to oppose all amendments … I represent Puerto Rico here”Gonzalez, who indicated he communicated to the Republican minority leader on the Natural Resources Committee Lok Sabha, Bruce Westerman (Arkansas), who would vote against the proposals of his fellow party members.
Gonzalez was the only Republican part of the agreement to introduce Bill 8393, which proposes a self-executing federal referendum between state, free association and independence.
He did not say whether he expects the legislation to be the only Republican vote on the committee, which has 26 Democrats and 21 Republicans.
The legislation was introduced by Democrats, the chairman of the Natural Resources Committee. Raul Grijalva (Arizona), co-sponsored by Democratic Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (Maryland), Puerto Rican Democrats Nidia Velázquez (New York) and Darren Soto (Florida), and Commissioner González.
Congressional Democrats also co-sponsored the legislation on Monday. Katie Porter (California), Betty McCallum (Minnesota) y ruben gallego (Arizona), Democratic Representative from Guam, Michael San Nicolasand Republican Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazari (Florida).
Democrats Teresa Fernandez Leger (New Mexico), Lori Trahan (Massachusetts) and Paul Tonko (New York), and Republicans Fred Upton (Michigan), John Katko (New York) and Don Bacon (Nebraska) joined Tuesday.
The measure now has 11 Democratic co-sponsors, not counting Grijalva, and five Republicans. Gonzalez, the commissioner on the Natural Resources Committee, is the only Republican to support the bill. Upton is the only Republican co-sponsor of 8393 who did not co-sponsor the Puerto Rican Democrat Soto’s 1522 bill, which proposes a federal state referendum.
Republican amendments introduced Tuesday include preventing the referendum from taking effect when legislation becomes — which is not expected — requiring a two-thirds majority for the winning option and requiring Congress to accept the result. , implement English as the official language. The governments of the United States and Puerto Rico block statehood until the Puerto Rican government has paid off all debt, and demand the withdrawal of federal emergency funds prior to any change in status.
Other Republican amendments seek to eliminate the provision that gives children of two US citizen parents the birthright of US citizenship under US immigration laws during the First Compact of Free Association and under options. Eliminates most infections. Including federal grants on liberty.
“I’m going to respect the votes of each of them,” Commissioner Gonzalez said of his fellow party members. For González, the Republican delegation on the committee has become more conservative and recognized that it was adversely affected by the death of Don Young (Alaska), who was an ally of island politicians and chairman emeritus of the committee.
Commissioner Gonzalez denied that he had not informed Westman about talks with Democrats over the past eight months, but acknowledged that he did not share the draft law with him until it was publicly disclosed. was not being negotiated because the settlement was to be kept confidential.
Commissioner Gonzalez said, “You have to make some compromises… I have an excellent relationship (with Westerman).”
In addition to Republican Salazar, he indicated that it would become known this week that the bill is co-sponsored by other congressmen in his party, who co-sponsored the pro-state project in March 2021 in conjunction with Puerto. Rican Democrat Soto.
Commissioner Gonzalez, who resigned as president of the Republican Party of the United States in Puerto Rico in 2021, refuses to leave the Grand Old Party (GOP), because she believes the party represents her values.
* Updated 20 July 2022.
