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Congressman Soto’s Statement About Puerto Rico’s Upcoming Plebiscite

June 6, 2017

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Today, U.S. Representative Darren Soto (D-FL) released the following statement:

Puerto Rico's unresolved political status is intimately connected to many of the Island's challenges including its fiscal, economic and demographic crisis. The decision on Puerto Rico's ultimate political status has to come from the people, and it's not my place to try to tell them how to vote. Yet as a Member of the U.S. Congress from Florida, representing a district with a large Puerto Rican population, and being of Puerto Rican heritage myself, I take great interest in the issue. And I look forward to seeing the outcome of the June 11thplebiscite.

I encourage my fellow citizens from Puerto Rico to participate in the plebiscite and I will strongly support its outcome. As a member of the House Natural Resources Committee and the Subcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs, which has direct jurisdiction over Puerto Rican affairs, I want to reaffirm my commitment to advocate strongly for the federal government to honor and respect the wishes and will of the people of Puerto Rico.

Ultimately, I believe that it is in the best interest of my constituents, our fellow citizens in the territory, and America as a whole, that Congress work to ensure a strong and vibrant Puerto Rico. Congress must resolve Puerto Rico's political status to unleash its full economic potential and return prosperity to the island.

En español:

El estatus político sin resolver de Puerto Rico está íntimamente conectado con los retos que tiene la isla en torno a su situación fiscal y demográfica. La decisión sobre el estatus político de Puerto Rico tiene que venir de su gente. No es mi posición decirle a los ciudadanos cómo votar. Sin embargo, como miembro del Congreso de Estados Unidos y representante en Florida de la población más grande de puertorriqueños en el estado y siendo de herencia puertorriqueña, este es un asunto de gran importancia para mí. Estaré pendiente al resultado del plebiscito del 11 de junio.

Les exhorto a mis compatriotas en Puerto Rico a participar del plebiscito este sábado. Respaldaré su resultado como representante del Comité de Recursos Naturales y el Subcomité sobre Asuntos Indígenas, Nativos de Alaska e Insulares, el cual tiene jurisdicción directa sobre temas que afectan a Puerto Rico. Hoy reafirmo mi compromiso de abogar a favor de que el gobierno federal honre y respete la voluntad del pueblo puertorriqueño. Por último, creo que es en el mejor interés de mis constituyentes, hermanos ciudadanos en el territorio y en toda América, que el Congreso trabaje para asegurar a un Puerto Rico fuerte y vibrante. El Congreso debe resolver el estatus político de Puerto Rico para poder garantizar su total potencial económico y devolverle prosperidad a la isla.

Congressman Darren Soto represents Florida's 9th Congressional District, which includes Osceola County, as well as parts of Orange and Polk counties.

Issues:Economy