Resident Commissioner Responds to Statehood Lobbying Efforts by the Puerto Rico Government

WASHINGTON, D.C. – From the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, Puerto Rico Resident Commissioner, Pablo José Hernández Rivera, criticized this week's efforts by the government advocating for statehood in Washington, DC, calling it an unnecessary endeavor that distorts the will of the Puerto Rican people. Hernández Rivera emphasized his mandate from the people: to prioritize economic development and reconstruction—not the debate over the political status of the island.

His remarks come as the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration and the Governor’s office are lobbying in Washington, D.C. for statehood, attempting to claim broad support despite the fact that a majority of Puerto Ricans rejected statehood in the most recent vote.

Today, Hernández sent a Dear Colleague letter to House and Senate members, providing a factual and balanced context on Puerto Rico’s status history.

In his speech, Hernández emphasized that in November 2024, 51% of Puerto Ricans refused to vote for statehood, instead electing him with a clear directive: focus on economic development and reconstruction.

“The government of Puerto Rico can spend its time however it wants—I cannot and will not spend mine talking about Puerto Rico’s status. I would rather talk about the status of our supply chain, and how Puerto Rico can strengthen it. I would rather talk about the status of our electric grid, and how the government must move faster to fix it. I would rather talk about an agenda that unites Puerto Ricans, Democrats, and Republicans.”

Hernández concluded: “Unity, not division, is the path forward.”

Click HERE to read and HERE to watch the Resident Commissioner’s floor speech.

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