Apparently tired of waiting for clear direction from Congress, the people of Puerto Rico have used the tools provided by their own local constitution to schedule a vote for Dec. 13 on the status of the island.

Quote by Dick Thornburgh

Topics: Dick Thornburgh Quotes

Now that the there is a path for the people of Puerto Rico to express...

Now that the there is a path for the people of Puerto Rico to express...

Yet, individuals and corporations in Puerto Rico pay no federal income tax.

Yet, individuals and corporations in Puerto Rico pay no federal income tax.

After one hundred years of federal rule, the United States House of Representatives has moved...

After one hundred years of federal rule, the United States House of Representatives has moved...

That is why, with optimism instead of fear, all those who want to see Puerto...

That is why, with optimism instead of fear, all those who want to see Puerto...

Internal self-government under a local constitution was authorized by Congress and approved by the residents...

Internal self-government under a local constitution was authorized by Congress and approved by the residents...

The need for a permanent status resolution approved by Congress is made even more clear...

The need for a permanent status resolution approved by Congress is made even more clear...

The capacity of the commonwealth government created under the local constitution to exercise governmental powers...

The capacity of the commonwealth government created under the local constitution to exercise governmental powers...

However, the sovereignty of the states is constitutionally defined and recognized, while the powers of...

However, the sovereignty of the states is constitutionally defined and recognized, while the powers of...

Instead of generating either unnecessary alarm or a false sense of security regarding these fundamental...

Instead of generating either unnecessary alarm or a false sense of security regarding these fundamental...

If U.S. national sovereignty continues, it is only as a state that Puerto Rico will...

If U.S. national sovereignty continues, it is only as a state that Puerto Rico will...

As the highest ranking American official in the United Nations organization, I came to understand...

As the highest ranking American official in the United Nations organization, I came to understand...

Specifically, the reservation of sovereignty to the people of the states in matters not governed...

Specifically, the reservation of sovereignty to the people of the states in matters not governed...

The political status legislation which emerged in Congress in 1990 and 1991 did not receive...

The political status legislation which emerged in Congress in 1990 and 1991 did not receive...

The powers of government exercised locally derive from a federal law authorizing government by consent...

The powers of government exercised locally derive from a federal law authorizing government by consent...

If Congress does its job in this regard, the residents of Puerto Rico will be...

If Congress does its job in this regard, the residents of Puerto Rico will be...

Federal program and services outlay in Puerto Rico is approximately $10 billion per year.

Federal program and services outlay in Puerto Rico is approximately $10 billion per year.

In historical and constitutional terms, the recent political status vote in Puerto Rico was a...

In historical and constitutional terms, the recent political status vote in Puerto Rico was a...

It is quite understandable that Puerto Ricans seek to preserve a cultural sense of identity...

It is quite understandable that Puerto Ricans seek to preserve a cultural sense of identity...

Yet, Puerto Rico's economic convergence and political integration with the rest of the nation is...

Yet, Puerto Rico's economic convergence and political integration with the rest of the nation is...