Statehood For Puerto Rico Remains Unlikely, Despite Proposed Legislation

• The Democratic Party will continue efforts to resolve Puerto Rico’s territorial status in the coming months, while the party retains control of the US Congress and the presidency.
• Representatives have introduced two separate bills that would resolve the issue, though the bills have created divisions within the party that reflect divisions on the issue in Puerto Rico.
• If passed, Puerto Ricans would have equal voting rights and access to more resources which could improve their quality of life.
• However, given a lack of unified support behind a single bill and staunch opposition from the Republican Party, Fitch Solutions maintains its view that Puerto Rico is unlikely to be admitted as a US state in the near term.

(Source: Fitch Solutions & NCBCM Research)