House approves bill to let Puerto Ricans vote to become 51st state

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by ree-Xi

I don't believe that PR has Congressional representation on the federal level, but can serve in appointed roles in the federal government.

They have non-voting delegates, like DC.

As for residents of DC, I have tried to understand the issues, but I can't quite grasp the constitutional barriers to statehood and/or residential representation and voting rights.

Article I, section 8, of the Constitution authorizes Congress "To exercise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten miles square) as may, by cession of particular states, and the acceptance of Congress, become the seat of the government of the United States." So under the Constitution, DC isn't a state, and therefore it has none of the rights of a state. The Constitution only provides states and state's residents with the ability to elect members of Congress.

The 23rd Amendment allows residents of DC to vote for President and Vice-President, but they cannot elect more electors to the Electoral College than the least populated state, even if by population they could send more electors if DC was a state.