Puerto Rico's statehood hopes dimmed today as congressional leaders told the island commonwealth to have patience and not to expect a Senate vote this year.
Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., met with Puerto Rico's Gov. Pedro Rossello before a committee meeting on a bill to authorize a vote by Puerto Ricans on whether to make the U.S. territory the 51st state or give it independence."Sen. Lott praised (the governor) for his leadership in Puerto Rico and on this issue, but right now a vote on Puerto Rico is not scheduled," Lott spokesman John Czuartacki said today.
Sen. Frank Murkowski, R-Alaska, chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, said lawmakers would likely have to hold several full hearings on the matter before authorizing such a historic vote.
"Growing up under territorial status in Alaska, I certainly support the right of residents to formulate what the vision of their future may be," Murkowski said in a statement. But, he added, "I have no illusions about the time and effort that will be required."