2005 Puerto Rican Statehood Bill

[MAS117]

This bill is utterly stupid with the VI in it. Unless this bill is amended to read that the Puerto Ricans vote for statehood I intend to vote nay and filibuster this bill. I will not have this Senate force statehood on a island that has voted NO for statehood over 3 times in the past. And if they voted "None of the Above" that's still NO Sen. Jedi.

[MAS117]

We had a similar bill several sessions ago.  It was an idiotic idea then, and it's an idiotic idea now.  Main reason?  We don't HAVE anyone from Puerto Rico on the forum!

We don't have anyone from Utah either.  Not that I am all for this idea, but I don't think it hurts us by adding this.

As is, you are FORCING statehood on Puerto Rico.

[MAS117]

Aye

[MAS117]

Mr. President, I submit a amendment to the clerk's desk regarding the 2005 Puerto Rican Statehood Bill:

Clause I is hereby stricken and replaced with:

I. After a majority vote of the citizens of Puerto Rico voting in the affirmative for statehood in a referendum administered by the territorial government of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is hereby entered in the Union of Atlasia as the 51st state under the name of Puerto Rico.

[MAS117]

I think it is somewhat implied that it would need the consent of Puerto Rico, but anyway, if you want the bill to say that, fine.

No, its not implied Senator. This was why I was against this bill. My amendment is necessary to the passage of this bill, and yes I do want it in words.

[MAS117]

Let me register my discomfort with being granted unquestioned authority over how the referendum turns out.  I'm not at all sure that I like the idea of me determining the outcome out of nothing.

I'm not sure about how the dinamics would work about this at this time.

[MAS117]

Aye

[MAS117]

I ask for a vote too.

[MAS117]

Aye

[MAS117]

I say we wait until another referedum from the actual Puerto Rican government rather then leave it to the GM.

[MAS117]

I say we wait until another referedum from the actual Puerto Rican government rather then leave it to the GM.

That could take years and it wouldn't happen for at least another couple of years. If we waited Atlasia might not be here anymore or we could be waiting forever!