Puerto Rico's governor calls lack of statehood "geographic discrimination"


BY CAITLIN YILEK

JUNE 23, 2021 / 8:01 PM / CBS NEWS

Puerto Rico Governor Pedro Pierluisi said the U.S. territory's lack of statehood is a form of discrimination and called on Congress to lay out steps for the island to become a state.

The island's residents, who are U.S. citizens, can vote in presidential primaries but cannot vote for president and do not have a voting member in Congress.

Is statehood the answer to Puerto Rico's problems?

"You're talking about 3.2 million American citizens residing in Puerto Rico and facing what I call geographic discrimination," he said Wednesday in an interview with "Red & Blue" anchor Elaine Quijano. "If they move to Florida, Texas, New York, the Carolinas, they're treated equally. Why? That makes no sense."

"We want to have the same rights. We want to vote for president, have a congressional representation — voting congressional representation — and equal treatment in all the federal programs. It's about time that happens."

Two bills in Congress offer different paths to determine Puerto Rico's future status. One measure would lay the groundwork for statehood if a majority of residents voted in favor of it. The other would provide residents several additional options to choose from, including independence or remaining a U.S. commonwealth.