anderson wrote:Wow. Yeah. How does that work, legally, adding states to the union? Does the Constitution have a procedure for that? I forget.
Well, if I remember correctly, the constitution doesn't say much about it- I mean there have been pretty different standards for the states as they have joined.
In general though, to be admitted statehood, the territory has have a certain population size and petition Congress, establish an approved constitution that comports with current US federal standards, then a simple majority vote in Congress votes and if the President signs off on it, they are in.
Now a few caveats, EDIT: I just checked the BBC updated report, they are saying the measure to change the relationship to the US passed by 54% with most of the votes counted- so my first caveat no longer applies.
EDIT: I don't know how official this is: again, on BBC- they call it a non-binding referendum, so even if it passes I suppose they'd have to have another "official" referendum.
To that I say that a vote where 60 to 70 percent of the population votes for statehood when that same option, in the past, never achieved a majority, is a pretty telling sign of which way the wind is blowing. The few sites I've read seem to conclude with the idea that this may not be technically binding, but we may start to see the beginnings of process.
The President has said that he will respect the wishes of Puerto Ricans to join if there is a clear majority for it (which may actually be the case.) Domestically it would be intriguing if it were brought up before Congress...would the Republicans risk alienating Hispanic votes in order to avoid what would most likely be two more automatic Democratic Senators or would they take the charge on getting them statehood and anger a lot of people....
Also keep in mind what Puerto Rico may do financially to the States- if it joined today, it'd be poorest state in the union by far...you could basically take Alabama's numbers and cut them by half to get to Puerto Rico...we might not be able to afford to take them in....
One More Further Addendum Here:
No US territory that wishes to join the union has ever been denied. Off the record, President Obama told the Des Moines Register that “Since this is off the record, I will just be very blunt. Should I win a second term, a big reason I will win a second term is because the Republican nominee and the Republican Party have so alienated the fastest-growing demographic group in the country, the Latino community,” Obama told the paper, noting that immigration reform legislation would be a top priority."
I cannot see that this does NOT become an issue in the upcoming year or two, tied into immigration.
Very interesting times...
