White House seeks $2.5 million to fund vote on Puerto Rican statehood
In a 2012 referendum, 61% of voters supported statehood for the island. The $2.5 million would pay for an educational campaign and a 'plebiscite' to settle the long-standing political status issue.
By Daniel Beekman / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Thursday, April 11, 2013, 8:48 AM
William Randall/Getty Images
The Obama administration announced that it is seeking funding to hold a vote on Puerto Rico's status as a commonwealth.
The White House is seeking $2.5 million to hold the first-ever U.S.-financed vote on Puerto Rican statehood, the Obama administration said Wednesday.
The news, which comes just five months after a nonbinding referendum on the political status of the U.S. commonwealth, immediately reignited debate between battling Puerto Rican factions.
RELATED: STATEHOOD GAINS TRACTION IN PUERTO RICO
In that referendum, 54% said they were not content with commonwealth status, while 61% backed statehood for the island.
On the other hand, Puerto Ricans voted pro-statehood Luis Fortuno out of the governor’s office in November, electing Gov. Alejandro Garcia Padilla instead.
RELATED: GONZALEZ: PUERTO RICO'S COMPLEX STATEHOOD VOTE
Rival factions claimed Wednesday that the White House announcement shows the Obama administration supports them.
“The U.S. President has heard the demands of the Puerto Rican government,” said Padilla, who favors a vote — but not statehood.
The $2.5 million would pay for an education campaign and a “plebiscite” to settle the political status issue once and for all.
-- With News Wire Services
The news, which comes just five months after a nonbinding referendum on the political status of the U.S. commonwealth, immediately reignited debate between battling Puerto Rican factions.
RELATED: STATEHOOD GAINS TRACTION IN PUERTO RICO
In that referendum, 54% said they were not content with commonwealth status, while 61% backed statehood for the island.
On the other hand, Puerto Ricans voted pro-statehood Luis Fortuno out of the governor’s office in November, electing Gov. Alejandro Garcia Padilla instead.
RELATED: GONZALEZ: PUERTO RICO'S COMPLEX STATEHOOD VOTE
Rival factions claimed Wednesday that the White House announcement shows the Obama administration supports them.
“The U.S. President has heard the demands of the Puerto Rican government,” said Padilla, who favors a vote — but not statehood.
The $2.5 million would pay for an education campaign and a “plebiscite” to settle the political status issue once and for all.
-- With News Wire Services
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