H.R. 900: To recognize Puerto Rico's sovereign nationhood under either independence or free association and to provide for a transition process, and for other purposes.

115th Congress · introduced 2017-02-07 · Government Operations and Politics · Latest: Referred to the Subcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2017-02-07 · official record
Who proposed it: Rep. Gutierrez, Luis V. [D-IL-4] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
Where it stands now: Referred to the Subcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

To recognize Puerto Rico's sovereign nationhood under either independence or free association and to provide for a transition process, and for other purposes.

Plain summary

This bill requires the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico to provide for a referendum in Puerto Rico in which eligible voters shall express their preference between the non-territorial options of either independence or free association. An individual shall be eligible to vote in such referendum if that individual was born in, or has a parent who was born in, Puerto Rico. The President shall negotiate a Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation and other bilateral agreements with the government of an independent Puerto Rico that will provide for equitable economic relations. Such treaty shall establish the details of the bilateral relations of Puerto Rico and the United States under specified guidelines with respect to citizenship, vested rights, trade, public debt and economic transition, currency, and defense. The President shall negotiate the terms for a Compact of Free Association with the government of Puerto Rico, which shall be submitted to Congress and the people of Puerto Rico for ratification under specified agreed guidelines with respect to Puerto Rican sovereignty and self-government, the termination of the free association relationship when Puerto Rico becomes fully independent, the continuation of U.S. citizenship for citizens of Puerto Rico, and the continuation of trade relations with the United States.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

To recognize Puerto Rico's sovereign nationhood under either independence or free association and to provide for a transition process, and for other purposes.

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Gutierrez, Luis V. [D-IL-4] · 0 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (2)

Bill: A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).
Referendum: A vote by the public on a law or measure. Texas statewide propositions are how voters decide on constitutional amendments.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-115hr900.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/115/hr>

Record fed-us-cong115-hr900 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong115 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong115