Velazquez on Puerto Rican Plebiscite

Washington, DC –Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) released the following statement regarding the plebiscite held in Puerto Rico:

"When it comes to determining their future political relationship with the U.S., the Puerto Rican people need and deserve a process that is open, inclusive and transparent. This plebiscite failed to live up to that standard and the deck was stacked throughout the process. With members of two of the three major political parties in Puerto Rico boycotting the vote, we can safely assume the results do not even remotely reflect public sentiment on the Island.

"I believe there should be a democratic mechanism for the Puerto Rican people to determine their destiny, but to have any degree of legitimacy, such a process must follow the rules and not be haphazardly rushed. "This could have been the first plebiscite paid for with federal funds but, because the process was rushed and did not meet conditions required in statute, the Puerto Rican people are left footing the bill. Those taxpayer resources would have been better used helping alleviate the Island's suffering.

"At a time when the education system is being shuttered, more than half the children of Puerto Rico live below the poverty line, public hospitals are running out of doctors and antibiotics and local emergency response services are being scaled back, spending funds on a misguided, ‘dog and pony show' plebiscite is unacceptable. "For my part, I will continue working to help Puerto Rico address the many challenges it faces such as focusing on what's really important – rebuilding its economy and ensuring adequate resources for its healthcare system."

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