06.09.22

Durbin, Duckworth Cosponsor Puerto Rican Self-Determination Act

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced their cosponsorship of U.S. Senator Bob Menendez’s (D-NJ) Puerto Rican Self-Determination Act, legislation that would enable Puerto Ricans to determine their own political future and relationship with the United States. Under this legislation, a status convention would be created for residents to decide what kind of status they want going forward, and allow them to propose this status to Congress. Their support for this bill comes ahead of Chicago’s annual Puerto Rican Festival and the 43rd Puerto Rican People’s Day Parade. In addition to Durbin and Duckworth, U.S. Representatives Jesús "Chuy" García (D-IL-4), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09), Danny Davis (D-IL-07), Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), Mike Quigley (D-IL-05), and Marie Newman (D-IL-03) are cosponsors from the Illinois delegation.

“More than three million Puerto Rican residents deserve a fair process to determine their own future,” said Durbin. “I am fortunate to represent many Puerto Ricans in Chicago who have voiced their support to use a democratic, inclusive process to determine Puerto Rico’s future. I thank Senator Menendez for his leadership on this bill.”

“Puerto Rico’s status is a critical matter of autonomy for so many Puerto Ricans—and I’m glad that Congress is elevating the people’s right to self-determination,” said Duckworth. “The Puerto Rican Self-Determination Act makes it clear that the citizens of Puerto Rico deserve an inclusive and transparent process to decide their political future, and I’m proud to join Senator Menendez and Senator Durbin on this legislation.”

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