What is a Resident Commissioner?
Role of the Resident Commissioner
The Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico is elected by the People of Puerto Rico in each General Election to serve as the Island’s only authorized representative before the United States federal government. The Resident Commissioner represents the entire Island, meaning one elected official represents over three million people, far more than the average House district in the states.
The Resident Commissioner is a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives with the authority to introduce legislation and amendments, serve and vote on congressional committees, conduct oversight, participate in hearings, and speak, debate, and manage debate on the House floor on behalf of Puerto Rico. Through this role, the Resident Commissioner advocates for federal policies, funding, and programs that affect the Island and its people.
However, under federal law, the Resident Commissioner:
- Cannot vote on the final passage of legislation, including bills and amendments, on the House floor
- Cannot vote for the Speaker of the House or other House officers
- Cannot preside over the House or serve as Speaker pro tempore
Because Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory rather than a state, Congress retains ultimate authority over federal policy affecting the Island under Article IV, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution, which grants Congress power over U.S. territories. As a commonwealth, Puerto Rico does not have representation in the United States Senate. Therefore, the Resident Commissioner is Puerto Rico’s only federally elected representative in Congress and its sole voice at the federal legislative level.
The Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico is the only Member of Congress elected to a four-year term, aligning with Puerto Rico’s general elections rather than the two-year House cycle used in the states. This structure reflects the unique political relationship between Puerto Rico and the federal government.
The current Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico is Pablo José Hernández, who is also the youngest Resident Commissioner ever elected in United States history.
Historical Background
The office of Resident Commissioner was established in 1900, following the end of the Spanish-American War and the transfer of Puerto Rico from Spain to the United States under the Treaty of Paris (1899). That treaty explicitly left decisions regarding the civil rights and political status of Puerto Rico’s people to the U.S. Congress.
Later that same year, Congress passed the Foraker Act, which created a civilian government in Puerto Rico and formally established the office of Resident Commissioner. At first, the role had limited recognition and unclear authority within the House of Representatives.
In 1904, the House amended its rules to allow the Resident Commissioner to speak on the House floor and serve on committees. Further clarity came with the Jones Act of 1917, which granted U.S. citizenship to Puerto Ricans and explicitly recognized the Resident Commissioner as a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
In 1950, Congress enacted Public Law 81-600, later known as the Puerto Rico Federal Relations Act, which reaffirmed the office and established the current four-year term. The ratification of the Constitution of Puerto Rico in 1952 did not alter the role or authority of the Resident Commissioner.
Since 1900, twenty one individuals, including Pablo José Hernández, have served as Resident Commissioner, reflecting more than a century of continuous representation for Puerto Rico in Congress. Pablo José Hernández is the youngest Resident Commissioner elected to office in U.S. history.
What the Office of the Resident Commissioner Does?
Beyond legislative work, the Office of the Resident Commissioner serves as a bridge between Puerto Rico and the federal government, helping individuals, municipalities, nonprofits, and businesses navigate federal systems. The office advocates for Puerto Rico by securing federal funding and resources, influencing national policy, promoting equitable treatment in federal programs, and representing the Island in negotiations with federal agencies.
The office also provides constituent and federal assistance services, helping residents and organizations navigate federal agencies, address issues involving benefits or grants, and connect with federal programs. These services support a wide range of needs, including disaster recovery, infrastructure projects, health care access, veterans’ services, education initiatives, and economic development efforts that strengthen communities across Puerto Rico.