BONUS: U.S. House Members Hold Press Conference on the Puerto Rico Status Act

In this bonus episode, we’re sharing a press conference from the House Committee on Natural Resources, which oversees insular affairs for the United States, including the affairs of Puerto Rico. What you'll hear in this press conference is a historic announcement from congressional members, who have supported two opposing bills that address Puerto Rico’s status. 

The press conference will tell you more, but to give you a high level view, US House lawmakers announced today that they have come to a compromise and are working on legislation called the Puerto Rico Status that, if passed, would trigger a binding referendum on Puerto Rico’s political status. The proposal would require Puerto Ricans to choose from three options: independence, statehood, or sovereignty in free association with the US. What makes this different from past referendums is that it would be binding - meaning that it would require Congress to act on the referendum regardless of the outcome.

The speakers you’ll hear from in this episode include:

• Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05)
• Chairwoman Nydia M. Velázquez House Committee on Small Business (NY-07)
• Chairman Raúl M. Grijalva House Committee on Natural Resources (AZ-03)
• Rep. Darren Soto (FL-09)
• Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González-Colón (PR-AL)
• Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14)
• Governor of Puerto Rico Pedro R. Pierluisi 

Host:

Joshua ★ https://twitter.com/jsdeleon

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★ In The News ★

77 Flavors Chicago Podcast x Paseo Podcast Episode ★ https://anchor.fm/77-flavors-of-chicago/episodes/Humboldt-Park---pt-2---Joshua-Smyser-DeLeon-e1g1mg6

Block Club Chicago Feature on the Podcast ★ http://ow.ly/MWu550COMH

Chicago Public Library Panel: Who Tells Your Story? Celebrating Chicago Community Media ★ https://youtu.be/Jtpf9YQgFqA

★ Partners + Additional Credits ★

CIMA ★ https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/independent-media-alliance-about-cima/Content?oid=82156315

Puerto Rican Cultural Center Website ★ https://prcc-chgo.org

Sounds ★ MEINL Percussion