Census 2030 changes raise concerns in Puerto Rico — a NAPREC perspective
The PRcuenta initiative warned that proposed changes for the 2030 Census, including the questionnaire and the rules for determining usual residence, could affect Puerto Rico and the diaspora and their access to federal funds. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Resident Commissioner weighs reviving a plebiscite bill — a NAPREC perspective
Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández told El Nuevo Día he will evaluate reintroducing, in the next Congress, his bill for a federally binding plebiscite that includes the current territorial status, while saying he does not expect status legislation to advance. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Governor signs Puerto Rico’s request for admission — a NAPREC perspective
Governor Jenniffer González-Colón signed Joint Resolution 66-2026, formally asking Congress to admit Puerto Rico as a state and the President to support admission. Copies go to the President and every member of Congress. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Resident Commissioner to back an energy shipping exemption — a NAPREC perspective
Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández said he intends to cosponsor Rep. Ritchie Torres’s bill to exempt energy products shipped to Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Alaska and Guam from the Jones Act. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
NAPREC launches a bilingual equality hub — a NAPREC perspective
El Nuevo Día reported on NAPREC’s bilingual portal, which explains Puerto Rico’s representation gap and links to the election authorities of all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and the territories ahead of the November 3 elections. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Medicaid advisory board asks for the states’ formula — a NAPREC perspective
The final report of Puerto Rico’s Multisectoral Advisory Board on Medicaid recommends applying the states’ matching formula, which it estimates at about 83 percent, and removing or raising the Section 1108 funding cap. The committee seeks $4.815 billion for fiscal year 2028. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
FEMA obligates $87 million for 47 recovery projects — a NAPREC perspective
The Governor announced that FEMA obligated $87,111,870.38 for 47 recovery and reconstruction projects, including street lighting in Moca, Lares and Aguas Buenas, the Punta Santiago pier in Humacao and a bridge project. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Bill seeks more time to finish Puerto Rico’s recovery — a NAPREC perspective
Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández and Representatives Bennie Thompson and Nellie Pou announced H.R. 10441, which would extend the deadline for eligible FEMA recovery projects in Puerto Rico to December 31, 2035, with annual progress reports. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Medicaid fix for Puerto Rico still not found — a NAPREC perspective
House Energy and Commerce Chairman Brett Guthrie said Republicans have not yet found a way to reauthorize Puerto Rico’s Medicaid funding. Without action, annual federal funding would fall from about $4.2 billion to about $500 million on October 1, 2027. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Stopgap funding keeps Puerto Rico programs running — a NAPREC perspective
Congress approved H.R. 6500, a continuing resolution funding the federal government through December 11, 2026. The Resident Commissioner said it keeps PAN, WIC, Head Start, housing and disaster funds running for Puerto Rico. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Puerto Rico Status Act is introduced — a NAPREC perspective
H.R. 8393 brought a new proposal before the House to select and implement a permanent, nonterritorial political status. The bill’s introduction was a concrete legislative step, followed by committee review and a later House floor vote. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Supreme Court hears the SSI case — a NAPREC perspective
The Supreme Court heard oral arguments in United States v. Vaello Madero. The dispute concerned the exclusion of Puerto Rico residents from Supplemental Security Income, bringing unequal access to federal benefits before the justices. A decision followed in 2022. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Committee advances the status bill — a NAPREC perspective
The House Natural Resources Committee voted 25–20 to report H.R. 8393 favorably, as amended. Committee approval moved the measure toward the full House; it was one stage of the legislative process, not final enactment. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
A status convention proposal enters Congress — a NAPREC perspective
H.R. 2070 proposed a status convention and a mechanism for congressional consideration of its outcome. The bill offered a different decision-making process from direct admission legislation, placing competing approaches before the same Congress. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Statehood admission bill introduced — a NAPREC perspective
H.R. 1522 proposed admitting Puerto Rico as a state. Its introduction by Representative Darren Soto and bipartisan cosponsors opened a legislative path for consideration; introducing a bill did not itself change the island’s status. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
House passes H.R. 8393 by 233–191 — a NAPREC perspective
The House approved the Puerto Rico Status Act by 233 votes to 191. The roll call records a major milestone for a federal status process. A House vote alone does not make a bill law or admit a new state. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Two paths to a status decision receive further scrutiny — a NAPREC perspective
The House Natural Resources Committee scheduled another legislative hearing on the admission and self-determination bills. The record shows how both proposals remained part of congressional debate during 2021, rather than a completed change in political status. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Court upholds Puerto Rico’s exclusion from SSI — a NAPREC perspective
In Vaello Madero, the Supreme Court held that the Constitution did not require Congress to extend SSI to Puerto Rico residents. The ruling upheld the statutory distinction; it did not prevent Congress from choosing to expand the program. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
GAO identifies barriers to disaster recovery — a NAPREC perspective
GAO reported that large FEMA funding obligations had not yet translated into completed rebuilding. Puerto Rico’s difficulty financing work before reimbursement and limited project capacity were among the risks requiring a coordinated federal and local response. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
House hearing examines competing status bills — a NAPREC perspective
The House Natural Resources Committee heard testimony on H.R. 1522 and H.R. 2070. Its public record brings together elected officials and legal perspectives on admission and self-determination, documenting the debate without enacting either proposal. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.