Page "Politics of Puerto Rico" Paragraph 46

The bill would provide for a referendum giving Puerto Ricans the choice between the options of retaining their present political status, or choosing a new status.

If the former option were to win, the referendum would have been held again every 8 years.

If the latter option were to win, a separate referendum would be held where Puerto Ricans would have been given the option of being admitted as a US State " on equal footing with the other states ", or becoming a " sovereign nation, either fully independent from or in free association with the United States.

" The bill enjoys bi-partisan support in the House of Representatives, with 182 co-sponsors and was reported out of the House Resources Committee on a 30-8 vote.

The measure was passed by the House on April 29, 2010.