Puerto Rico votes for Statehood.

[TomSlick]

Puerto Rico has overwhelming voted for statehood. What are the odds a Repub Congress will ever accept Puerto Rico as a state? My prediction is that all the talk about supporting democracy around the world will mean nothing.

My bet is that it ain't happening as long as the Repubs control either house of Congress.

[briv1016]

1. At this point Moscow has a better chance of becoming a state than Puerto Rico.

That or they carve out a few Republican states from California with 2 R senators each.

[jaysunb]

3. That won't be happening aroud here. n/t

[bluecollar2]

2. Can we trade Texas for Puerto Rico?

[shenmue]

9. Yes

[Chipper Chat]

4. mitchipoo will never allow a vote on it

Two more permanent Democrat senators? Noop noop.

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

5. I think DC and territories need to be addressed at the same time

DC becomes a State
Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands become a State.
Guam, Samoa and Mariana Islands become a State and the former Pacific territories (obviously excluding the Philippines) should be given an opportunity to hold referendums for inclusion in that Pacific state.

Statehood for Cuba should also be a possibility in the future

[Kentonio]

12. Cuba? Err, what?

[msongs]

6. 73% of registered voters did NOT vote for statehood. they did not vote at all nt

[Renew Deal]

7. If they don't vote they don't count.

[Foamfollower]

8. Then those 73% were 100% behind whatever the other 27% decided.

When you refuse to cast your vote, you have voted to agree with whatever the majority of those who bother to vote decide.

[Spider Jerusalem]

10. so the same percentage voted for statehood as US voters went for Trump?

I don't see the problem, there.

[Warren DeMontague]

11. The US Senate by its very nature grants a disproportionate amt of power to rural conservatives.

Witness 2 senators for 400K Wyoming residents, and 2 senators for 34 million Californians.

With that in mind, I support ANYTHING that might fix the balance of power in the institution, and senators -likely Democrats- from DC and PR would certainly help.

Beyond that, if it is what the people there want, they should get a hearing in congress. But I suspect you're right, the GOP would never let it happen, for the same reasons I outlined above.

[beachbum bob]

13. no way conservatives would allow Puerto Rico in as a 51st state

2 more democratic senators and a dozen or more democratic reps...This must be done and its 50 yrs or better too late which goes back to the inherent racism prevalent in american society..