Chapter 7: Congress
5/17/99

What should the role of Congress be in determining the future legal status of Puerto Rico? Currently, Puerto Rico is an U.S. territory where its 3.8 million residents are U.S. citizens who do not pay federal taxes and cannot vote in presidential elections. In December 1998, a statehood referendum was held that produced inconclusive results. For the referendum, 46.6 percent supported statehood, 2.8 percent were for either independence or free association and a majority 50.3 percent cast their votes for "none of the above."

Supporters of an enhanced commonwealth status, under which the island would receive more political and economic independence, claimed that most of the "none of the above" voters backed their position, which was not on the ballot. They argued that the people of Puerto Rico were rejecting the notion of statehood with their "none of the above" votes. Detractors of that position contended such a status that would allow Puerto Rico to keep such benefits as $10 billion a year in federal funding while not accepting new responsibilities is "a false choice because there are no free lunches."

Given the inconclusive results of the referendum, some contend that Congress now has to determine the future status of Puerto Rico. Others argue that another more carefully drafted referendum has to be carried out to determine the future of the territory. However, there is little momentum in Congress for action this year. Some lawmakers are wary of promoting statehood for a Spanish-speaking island that is poorer than any of the 50 states, and -- to the disadvantage of Republicans --would probably send Democrats to Congress.

4/5/99

After Newt Gingrich's sudden announcement of his resignation from the Speaker of the House, Bob Livingston (R-La) appeared to be the heir-apparent for the position. However, Livingston made a shocking statement that he was withdrawing from the race to be Speaker due to the imminent public disclosure of certain marital infidelities. This set the stage for Dennis Hastert (R-Il) to be chosen for Speaker of the House, who is third in line in presidential succession and perhaps the most important position in the current Congress. To find out more about Speaker Hastert, go to The Official Home Page of House Speaker Denny Hastert.

1/14/99

On the second day of impeachment hearings for President Clinton before the full House of Representatives, Representative Bob Livingston (La.) made a shocking statement to the House and the nation. He called on President Clinton to resign and then stated he was withdrawing his name from consideration for the Speaker-elect position and was going to resign his House seat in six months. This statement followed Livingston's public admission a day earlier to 'marital infidelities'. Many argued that Livingston was setting a moral example for what President Clinton should do. Others contended that Livingston's support for the Speaker position was seriously eroded by his admission to multiple extramarital affairs.

Livingston's announcement came less than two months after the current Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich, stated that he would not seek the Speaker's position for the new Congress and he would give up his House seat. Less than two weeks before the new Congress comes into session considerable uncertainty exists as to who will hold the most powerful position in the House of Representatives. This also means no one is quite sure who will hold the position that is third in line for presidential succession.

For more information about recent events concerning the leadership of Congress go to the Washington Post: Leadership in Congress web site.

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