HJR0034 - Puerto Rico Statehood

• Encourages the 115th Congress to introduce and pass legislation admitting Puerto Rico as the 51st state

• Asserts that Puerto Rico citizens lack equal treatment under federal law and adequate representation in Congress, having only a Resident Commissioner without voting power

• Notes that 54% of voters rejected territory status in a 2012 Puerto Rico election, with 61% of those voters choosing statehood over independence or free association

• Cites Puerto Rico's weak economy and decade-long depression as consequences of territory status limitations and unequal treatment under dozens of federal statutes

• Directs copies of the resolution be sent to the Speaker of the House, Senate Majority Leader, Governor of Puerto Rico, and the Resident Commissioner