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Congressional Research Service
Version 36 · Passed House amended · Mar 4, 1998
United States-Puerto Rico Political Status Act - Declares that: (1) if the referendum held under this Act results in approval of sovereignty leading to Statehood for Puerto Rico, the English language requirements of the Federal Government shall apply to Puerto Rico to the same extent as Federal law requires throughout the United States; and (2) it is in the best interest of Puerto Rico to promote the teaching of English as the language of opportunity and empowerment in the United States in order to enable public school students to achieve English language proficiency by the age of ten. Requires a referendum to be held by December 31, 1998, on Puerto Rico's political status, for either: (1) retention of its present Commonwealth status; (2) full self-government through separate sovereignty leading to independence or free association; or (3) full self-government through U.S. sovereignty leading to statehood. Requires the President to develop and submit to the Congress for approval legislation for: (1) a transition plan of not more than ten years which leads to full self-government for Puerto Rico; and (2) a recommendation for the implementation of such self-government consistent with Puerto Rico's approval. Requires the transition plan, if the vote favors statehood, to: (1) include proposals and incentives to increase the opportunities of the people of Puerto Rico to expand their English proficiency, including teaching in English in public schools, awarding fellowships and scholarships, and providing grants to organizations to promote English language skills; (2) promote the use of English by U.S. citizens in Puerto Rico; and (3) include the effective date of Puerto Rico's incorporation into the United States. Authorizes the Government of Puerto Rico, in the event of a vote in favor of Commonwealth, to call a Special Convention to develop proposals for submission to the President and the Congress for changes in Federal policy on economic and social matters of concern to the Puerto Rican people. Authorizes further referenda, at least once every ten years, if the referendum conducted under this Act does not result in a majority vote for separate sovereignty or statehood. Sets forth specified requirements with respect to the referendum and congressional procedures for consideration of legislation. Makes funds available for the referendum, including those derived from the Federal excise tax on foreign rum. Requires the Government of Puerto Rico to make grants to the State Elections Commission of Puerto Rico for referenda held under this Act.
People & committees
Rep. Young, Don [R-AK-At Large] · R–AK
Legislative record
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Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held.
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held.
Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
The Clerk was authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 856.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On passage Passed by recorded vote: 209 - 208 (Roll no. 37).
House roll call 37 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 209 - 208 (Roll no. 37).
House roll call 37 · Individual votesThe amendment, as amended by the Burton substitute, would to specify that, in the event that a referendum held under the provisions of the bill results in approval of sovereignty leading to Statehood, upon accession to Statehood, the official language requirements of the Federal Government would apply to Puerto Rico in the same manner and to the same extent as throughout the United States. The amendment would call upon promoting English proficiency in the public schools by the age of 10.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 856.
The Chair announced that proceedings would resume on those amendments on which further action had been postponed.
At the conclusion of debate, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the Gutierrez amendment and announced that, by voice vote, the amendment was not agreed to. Mr. Gutierrez requested a recorded vote and, pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 376, further proceedings were postponed.
At the conclusion of debate, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the Barr amendment and announced that, by voice vote, the amendment was not agreed to. Mr. Barr requested a recorded vote and, pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 376, further proceedings were postponed.
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Stearns amendment, the Chair put the question on the amendment and announced that by voice vote, the noes had prevailed. Mr. Stearns demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further procedings until later in the legislative day.
GENERAL DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 376, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 30 minutes of debate on the general subject of allowing individuals who were born in Puerto Rico, but not currently residents of Puerto Rico, to vote in the proposed referendum authorized by the bill. At the conclusion of debate, it shall be in order to propose an amendment regarding voting participation in the referendum.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 376, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Burton amendment.
DEBATE - Pursuant to a previous unanimous consent agreement, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Gutierrez amendment.
LIMITATION ON DEBATE - Mr. Solomon asked unanimous consent that the hour of debate on the Solomon amendment, and all amendments thereto, be allocated as follows: 30 minutes to Mr. Solomon, 6 minutes to Mr. Gutierrez, 12 minutes to Mr. Burton, 12 minutes to Mr. Miller of California, subject to equitable reductions, if necessary to remain within the one hour of consideration permitted under H. Res. 376.
GENERAL DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions H. Res. 376, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of debate on the general subject of establishing English as the official language of the United States. At the conclusion of debate, the rule provides for the consideration of an amendment to establish English as the official language.
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with 90 minutes of general debate.
The Speaker designated the Honorable Lincoln Diaz-Balart to act as Chairman of the Committee.
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 376 and Rule XXIII.
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 856 with 1 hour and 30 minutes of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. In lieu of the amendment recommended by the Committee on Resources now printed in the bill, it shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in the Congressional Record. Measure will be considered read. Bill is open to amendments. Specified amendments are also in order.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 376. (consideration: CR H772-837)
Rule H. Res. 376 passed House.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 376 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 856 with 1 hour and 30 minutes of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. In lieu of the amendment recommended by the Committee on Resources now printed in the bill, it shall be in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of amendment under the five-minute rule the amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in the Congressional Record. Measure will be considered read. Bill is open to amendments. Specified amendments are also in order.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 106.
Committee on Rules discharged.
Committee on Rules discharged.
House Committee on Rules Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than July 11, 1997.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Resources. H. Rept. 105-131, Part I.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Resources. H. Rept. 105-131, Part I.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 44 - 1.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Field Hearings Held in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.
Field Hearings Held in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Committee Hearings Held.
Executive Comment Requested from Commerce.
Referred to House Rules
Referred to the Committee on Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to House Resources
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E351-852)
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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