Federal program and services outlay in Puerto Rico is approximately $10 billion per year. Dick Thornburgh approximatelybillionfederal Change image and share on social
After one hundred years of federal rule, the United States House of Representatives has moved to provide for the first meaningful route to self-determination for the Puerto Rican people under our federal system. Dick Thornburgh determinationfederalhouse share on social
It is quite understandable that Puerto Ricans seek to preserve a cultural sense of identity without separating politically from U.S. national sovereignty. Dick Thornburgh culturalidentitynational Change image and share on social
Internal self-government under a local constitution was authorized by Congress and approved by the residents in 1952, but federal law is supreme in Puerto Rico and residents do not have voting representation in the Congress. Dick Thornburgh approveauthorizecongress share on social
The need for a permanent status resolution approved by Congress is made even more clear to me because of my experience as a former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations. Dick Thornburgh approveclearcongress Change image and share on social
The powers of government exercised locally derive from a federal law authorizing government by consent in local affairs only, unless those affairs are otherwise governed by federal law. Dick Thornburgh affairauthorizeconsent Change image and share on social
Yet, Puerto Rico's economic convergence and political integration with the rest of the nation is in a state of arrest - even though the island has been within the national borders, political system and customs territory of the U.S. for a century. Dick Thornburgh arrestbordercentury share on social
Yet, individuals and corporations in Puerto Rico pay no federal income tax. Dick Thornburgh corporationfederalincome Change image and share on social
In historical and constitutional terms, the recent political status vote in Puerto Rico was a necessary but obviously not decisive step on the road of self-determination leading to full self-government. Dick Thornburgh constitutionaldecisivedetermination share on social
If Congress does its job in this regard, the residents of Puerto Rico will be empowered to act in their own self-interest and express their future political status aspirations accordingly. Dick Thornburgh actaspirationcongress Change image and share on social
