House approves concurrent resolution urging U.S. president, Congress to act on Nov. 5 plebiscite; measure passes 33-14

The House of Representatives voted 33-14 on Feb. 13 to approve Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 1, a measure asking the president of the United States and the U.S. Congress to act on the results of Puerto Rico’s Nov. 5, 2024 plebiscite, in which the certified tally showed a majority favoring admission as a U.S. state.

Supporters said the vote sends a formal, legislative certification of the plebiscite result to federal authorities and framed it as a democratic mandate. Representative José Aponte Hernández, who opened debate for the measure, said the plebiscite and prior statutes created a clear policy basis for the request, and that the island’s electorate has repeatedly asked for equal duties and rights as U.S. citizens. "la mayoría absoluta de los electores de Puerto Rico ha reclamado la igualdad de deberes derechos como ciudadanos americanos con la estadidad," Aponte said during his remarks.

Opponents criticized the process used to call the plebiscite and argued the resolution lacked inclusiveness. Representative Torres Cruz said the plebiscite had been conducted under an executive order rather than a legislative statute and described that procedural route as legally and politically deficient. Representative Lebrón Robles urged attention to ballots cast in blank and to voters whose intentions she said the resolution did not address: "Si vamos a respetar la voluntad del votante, tenemos que tomar en consideración aquellos otros votantes cuya intención no ha sido respetada," she said.

Why it matters: The resolution formalizes the Legislature’s request that Washington act on a certified plebiscite result. Backers say it strengthens Puerto Rico’s claim when presented to the U.S. president and Congress; opponents say the path to a binding federal response requires broader, consensus-based local procedures and that a U.S. president or Congress is not bound to act on a territorial plebiscite.

Key facts and process notes - The vote: 33 in favor, 14 opposed; no recorded abstentions in the final tally. - The plebiscite: The House debate cited the official certification that the Nov. 5, 2024 plebiscite returned a majority for statehood (the transcript cites a certified figure of 58.6 percent and 620,782 votes). - Legal references cited on the floor included Ley 165 del 2020 and Ley 51 del 2020 (both referenced by proponents when discussing the plebiscite’s authorization and policy framework). - The body set debate time rules before starting: the majority and minority delegations were allocated fixed minutes to present and question witnesses.

What proponents said Proponents framed the resolution as reflecting a clear electoral mandate that should be conveyed to the U.S. president and Congress with the Legislature’s certification. Representative José Aponte Hernández, in opening remarks, argued the plebiscite and previously enacted statutes formed a binding policy basis for carrying the request to Washington.

What opponents said Opponents said the plebiscite procedure — which they described as implemented under an executive order — lacked necessary legislative backing and inclusivity. They also flagged that significant numbers of ballots were left blank and said any sovereign-level change requires a more comprehensive, consensus-based local process before being presented to the U.S. Congress.

Outcome and next steps The resolution was approved on the recorded vote. Sponsors intend to transmit the certified result and the Legislature’s resolution to the president and Congress; the resolution itself does not change Puerto Rico’s legal status and does not by itself compel federal action.

Votes at a glance - Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 1 (requesting president and Congress respond to the Nov. 5, 2024 plebiscite): approved 33–14 (recorded vote).