Puerto Rico Status Bill. Also, Puerto Rico: Battle to Rebuild Power Grid. And, House Committee Issues Final Report on Capitol Violence.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21
PROGRAM # 9861 12:00 PM PT

Puerto Rico Status Bill.

The U.S. House passed a bill that would allow Puerto Rico to hold the first-ever binding referendum on whether residents wish to become a state or an independent country, or remain associated with the US, in a last-ditch effort that stands little chance of passing the Senate. The Puerto Rico Status Act, which received some Republican support, proposes a plebiscite to be held on November 5, 2023, to resolve Puerto Rico’s political status and force Congress to take action on the option Puerto Ricans choose.

Guests: Dr. Efrain Vazquez-Vera, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR; Dr. Javier Colón-Morera, Department of Political Science, School of Social Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus, Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico: Battle to Rebuild Power Grid. After the devastating impact of hurricanes in Puerto Rico in recent years, Puerto Ricans have been debating how to rebuild and develop the new energy grid in the island. Community organizations are resisting the electric power authority’s move to privatize the electrical grid and are making calls to radically transform its electrical system, from its current outdated model to a democratic, decentralized, decarbonized, and decolonized one.

Guests: Ruth Santiago, Environmental Advocate and Attorney, Member, White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council, Puerto Rico; Ramon Cruz, National President, Sierra Club, Brooklyn, NY.

House Committee Issues Final Report on Capitol Violence. The House January 6 Committee released the final report blaming former President Trump for violence on Capitol Hill and conspiring to overturn the election.

Guest: Laura Rodriguez, Vice President for Government Affairs, Center for American Progress Action Fund, Washington, DC

Photo: soto.house.gov

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