The resident commissioner of Puerto Rico (Spanish: Comisionado Residente de Puerto Rico) is a non-voting member of the United States House of Representatives elected by the voters of the U.S. Commonwealth of Puerto Rico every four years,[1] the only member of the House of Representatives who serves a four-year term. Because the Commissioner represents the entire territory of Puerto Rico irrespective of its population, and is not subject to congressional apportionment like those House members representing the 50 states, Puerto Rico's at-large congressional district is the largest congressional district by population in all of the United States.
Commissioners function in every respect as a member of Congress, including sponsoring legislation and serving on congressional committees, where they can vote on legislation,[2] but they cannot vote on the final disposition of legislation on the House floor.[3] They receive a salary of $174,000 per year[4] and are identified as Member of Congress.[2]
The United States Congress had seated non-voting "delegates" from various territories since 1794 as the country expanded across North America; these territories were all eventually admitted as states. The position of delegate was a legislative position with a two-year term, just like a member of Congress.[5]
The United States acquired several overseas possessions as a result of the Spanish–American War. While the House of Representatives voted in 1900 for Puerto Rico to select a delegate, Congress instead devised a new form of territorial representative in the resident commissioner. United States SenatorJohn Coit Spooner argued that granting a territory a delegate implied that it was on the path to statehood, which he asserted was not guaranteed for the new possessions acquired in the war, such as Puerto Rico and the Philippines.[5] In fact, more than a century later, neither has become a state. (Puerto Rico remains a U.S. territory, while The Philippinesbecame an independent republic in 1946.)
The original resident commissioner positions served a two-year term,[6] though it was later extended to four years starting in 1920.[7][5][8] The position also had executive responsibility in addition to legislative ones. The term had been used as to parts of the British Empire (see resident commissioner), but in an almost opposite sense; sent or recognized as the Crown's representative to manage a territory. In the American sense, resident commissioner always refers to a representative of a territory to the national government.[5]
This representation has evolved over time. At first, the resident commissioner could not even be present on the floor of the House of Representatives; floor privileges were granted in 1902.[5] In 1904, the officeholder gained the right to speak during debate and serve on the Committee on Insular Affairs, which had responsibility for the territories gained in the Spanish-American War.[5]
In 1933, Resident Commissioner Santiago Iglesias was appointed to additional committees, and each of his successors has served on other committees also.[5] But only in 1970 did the resident commissioner gain the right to vote in committees, gain seniority, or hold leadership positions.[5]
The present-day resident commissioner, like the delegates from other territories and the District of Columbia, have almost all of the rights of other House members, including being able to sponsor bills and offer amendments and motions.[5] Territorial representatives remain unable to vote on matters before the full House.
^ abcWines, Michael (July 26, 2019). "She's Puerto Rico's Only Link to Washington. She Could Be Its Future Governor". The New York Times.
^ abJames R. Fuster, Member of Congress from Puerto Rico (August 29, 1990). "Our 51st State?". Newsweek.
^"Commish. Jenniffer González-Colón, Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico's At-Large District, Republican". govtrack.us. January 3, 2017. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
^Brudnick, Ida A. "Salaries of Members of Congress : Recent actions and Historical Tables". Senate.gov. Retrieved March 3, 2015.
^ abcdefghiRundquist, Paul S. "Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico". congressionalresearch.com. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
^Pub. L.Tooltip Public Law (United States) 56–191, §39 (31 Stat. 86)
^Pub. L.Tooltip Public Law (United States) 64–368, §36 (39 Stat. 963)
^"Delegates to the U.S. Congress: History and Current Status".
External linksedit
February 15, 2024
resident, commissioner, puerto, rico, resident, commissioner, puerto, rico, spanish, comisionado, residente, puerto, rico, voting, member, united, states, house, representatives, elected, voters, commonwealth, puerto, rico, every, four, years, only, member, ho. The resident commissioner of Puerto Rico Spanish Comisionado Residente de Puerto Rico is a non voting member of the United States House of Representatives elected by the voters of the U S Commonwealth of Puerto Rico every four years 1 the only member of the House of Representatives who serves a four year term Because the Commissioner represents the entire territory of Puerto Rico irrespective of its population and is not subject to congressional apportionment like those House members representing the 50 states Puerto Rico s at large congressional district is the largest congressional district by population in all of the United States Resident Commissioner of Puerto RicoIncumbentJenniffer Gonzalezsince January 3 2017United States House of RepresentativesSeatPuerto RicoTerm lengthFour years renewable 1 FormationJanuary 2 1900First holderFederico DegetauSalaryUS 174 000Websitegonzalez colon wbr house wbr govPuerto Rico s at large congressional districtResident Commissioner Jenniffer Gonzalez a R San JuanArea3 515 sq mi 9 100 km2 Population 2019 3 193 694Median householdincome14 412Ethnicity80 5 Hispanic8 5 Black6 8 White3 6 other0 4 Native American0 2 AsianOccupation67 9 White collar20 5 Blue collar11 6 Gray collarCommissioners function in every respect as a member of Congress including sponsoring legislation and serving on congressional committees where they can vote on legislation 2 but they cannot vote on the final disposition of legislation on the House floor 3 They receive a salary of 174 000 per year 4 and are identified as Member of Congress 2 The current commissioner is Jenniffer Gonzalez Colon of the New Progressive Party PNP the first woman to hold the post 1 She is also affiliated with the Republican Party R at the national level Other U S territories have a similar representative position called a delegate Contents 1 History 2 Summary of commissioners 3 List of resident commissioners pre Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico 4 Resident commissioners under the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico 5 Recent elections 5 1 2000 5 2 2004 5 3 2008 5 4 2012 5 5 2016 5 6 2020 6 See also 7 Notes 8 References 9 External linksHistory editThe United States Congress had seated non voting delegates from various territories since 1794 as the country expanded across North America these territories were all eventually admitted as states The position of delegate was a legislative position with a two year term just like a member of Congress 5 The United States acquired several overseas possessions as a result of the Spanish American War While the House of Representatives voted in 1900 for Puerto Rico to select a delegate Congress instead devised a new form of territorial representative in the resident commissioner United States Senator John Coit Spooner argued that granting a territory a delegate implied that it was on the path to statehood which he asserted was not guaranteed for the new possessions acquired in the war such as Puerto Rico and the Philippines 5 In fact more than a century later neither has become a state Puerto Rico remains a U S territory while The Philippines became an independent republic in 1946 The original resident commissioner positions served a two year term 6 though it was later extended to four years starting in 1920 7 5 8 The position also had executive responsibility in addition to legislative ones The term had been used as to parts of the British Empire see resident commissioner but in an almost opposite sense sent or recognized as the Crown s representative to manage a territory In the American sense resident commissioner always refers to a representative of a territory to the national government 5 This representation has evolved over time At first the resident commissioner could not even be present on the floor of the House of Representatives floor privileges were granted in 1902 5 In 1904 the officeholder gained the right to speak during debate and serve on the Committee on Insular Affairs which had responsibility for the territories gained in the Spanish American War 5 In 1933 Resident Commissioner Santiago Iglesias was appointed to additional committees and each of his successors has served on other committees also 5 But only in 1970 did the resident commissioner gain the right to vote in committees gain seniority or hold leadership positions 5 The present day resident commissioner like the delegates from other territories and the District of Columbia have almost all of the rights of other House members including being able to sponsor bills and offer amendments and motions 5 Territorial representatives remain unable to vote on matters before the full House Summary of commissioners edit1901 1905 Federico Degetau 1905 1911 Tulio Larrinaga 1911 1916 Luis Munoz Rivera 1916 1917 vacant 1917 1932 Felix Cordova Davila 1932 1932 vacant 1932 1933 Jose Lorenzo Pesquera 1933 1939 Santiago Iglesias 1939 1939 vacant 1939 1945 Bolivar Pagan 1945 1946 Jesus T Pinero 1946 1946 vacant 1946 1965 Antonio Fernos Isern 1965 1969 Santiago Polanco Abreu 1969 1973 Jorge Luis Cordova 1973 1977 Jaime Benitez Rexach 1977 1985 Baltasar Corrada del Rio 1985 1992 Jaime Fuster 1992 1993 Antonio Colorado 1993 2001 Carlos Romero Barcelo 2001 2005 Anibal Acevedo Vila 2005 2009 Luis Fortuno 2009 2017 Pedro Pierluisi 2017 Present Jenniffer GonzalezList of resident commissioners pre Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico editResident Commissioner Party U S Affiliation Years Cong ress Electoral historyDistrict established March 4 1901 nbsp Federico Degetau y Gonzalez San Juan Republican Republican March 4 1901 March 3 1905 3 years 364 days 57th58th Elected in 1900 Re elected in 1902 Retired nbsp Tulio Larrinaga San Juan Unionist data missing March 4 1905 March 3 1911 5 years 364 days 59th60th61st Elected in 1904 Re elected in 1906 Re elected in 1908 Retired nbsp Luis Munoz Rivera San Juan Unionist data missing March 4 1911 November 15 1916 5 years 256 days 62nd63rd64th Elected in 1910 Re elected in 1912 Re elected in 1914 Re elected in 1916 Died Vacant November 16 1916 August 6 1917 64th65th nbsp Felix L M Cordova Davila San Juan Unionist data missing August 7 1917 April 11 1932 14 years 238 days 65th66th67th68th69th70th71st72nd Elected to finish Rivera s term Re elected in 1920 Re elected in 1924 Re elected in 1928 Resigned to become Justice of the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico Vacant April 12 1932 April 14 1932 72nd nbsp Jose Lorenzo Pesquera Bayamon Independent data missing April 15 1932 March 3 1933 322 days 72nd Elected to finish Davila s term Retired nbsp Santiago Iglesias Pantin San Juan Socialist data missing March 4 1933 December 5 1939 6 years 276 days 73rd74th75th76th Elected in 1932 Re elected in 1936 Died Vacant December 5 1939 December 26 1939 76th nbsp Bolivar Pagan San Juan Republican Union data missing December 26 1939 January 3 1945 5 years 1 day 76th77th78th Appointed to finish Pantin s term Elected in 1940 Retired nbsp Jesus T Pinero Jimenez Canovanas Popular Democratic Democratic January 3 1945 September 2 1946 1 year 242 days 79th Elected in 1944 Resigned to become Governor of Puerto Rico Resident commissioners under the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico edit Popular Democratic Party 6 New Progressive Party 6 US Party Affiliation Democratic Party 10 Republican Party 2 No Resident Commissioner Party Affiliationwithin U S politics Years Cong ress Electoral history1 nbsp Antonio Fernos Isern Santurce Popular Democratic Democratic September 11 1946 January 3 1965 18 years 23 days 79th80th81st82nd83rd84th85th86th87th88th Appointed to finish Pinero s term Re elected in 1948 Re elected in 1952 Re elected in 1956 Re elected in 1960 Retired 2 nbsp Santiago Polanco Abreu Isabela Popular Democratic Democratic January 3 1965 January 3 1969 4 years 89th90th Elected in 1964 Lost re election 3 nbsp Jorge Luis Cordova San Juan New Progressive Democratic January 3 1969 January 3 1973 4 years 91st92nd Elected in 1968 Lost re election 4 nbsp Jaime Benitez Cayey Popular Democratic Democratic January 3 1973 January 3 1977 4 years 93rd94th Elected in 1972 Lost re election 5 nbsp Baltasar Corrada del Rio Rio Piedras New Progressive Democratic January 3 1977 January 3 1985 8 years 95th96th97th98th Elected in 1976 Re elected in 1980 Retired to run for mayor of San Juan 6 nbsp Jaime Fuster Condado Popular Democratic Democratic January 3 1985 March 3 1992 7 years 60 days 99th100th101st102nd Elected in 1984 Re elected in 1988 Resigned to become Justice of the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico 7 nbsp Antonio Colorado San Juan Popular Democratic Democratic March 4 1992 January 3 1993 305 days 102nd Appointed to finish Fuster s term Lost election to full term 8 nbsp Carlos Romero Barcelo San Juan New Progressive Democratic January 3 1993 January 3 2001 8 years 103rd104th105th106th Elected in 1992 Re elected in 1996 Lost re election 9 nbsp Anibal Acevedo Vila Hato Rey Popular Democratic Democratic January 3 2001 January 3 2005 4 years 107th108th Elected in 2000 Retired to run for Governor of Puerto Rico 10 nbsp Luis Fortuno San Juan New Progressive Republican January 3 2005 January 3 2009 4 years 109th110th Elected in 2004 Retired to run for Governor of Puerto Rico 11 nbsp Pedro Pierluisi San Juan New Progressive Democratic January 3 2009 January 3 2017 8 years 111th112th113th114th Elected in 2008 Re elected in 2012 Retired to run for Governor of Puerto Rico 12 nbsp Jenniffer Gonzalez San Juan New Progressive Republican January 3 2017 present 115th116th117th118th Elected in 2016 Re elected in 2020 Retiring to run for Governor of Puerto Rico Recent elections edit2000 edit 2000 Puerto Rico Resident Commissioner election Party Candidate Votes Popular Democratic Anibal Acevedo Vila 983 488 49 34New Progressive Carlos Romero Barcelo incumbent 905 690 45 43Independence Manuel Rodriguez Orellana 95 067 4 77Write in 9 238 0 46Total votes 1 993 483 100 00Popular Democratic gain from New ProgressiveDemocratic hold2004 edit 2004 Puerto Rico Resident Commissioner election Party Candidate Votes New Progressive Luis Fortuno 956 828 48 83Popular Democratic Roberto Prats Palerm 945 691 48 26Independence Edwin Irizarry Mora 56 589 2 89Write in 445 0 02Total votes 1 959 553 100 00New Progressive gain from Popular DemocraticRepublican gain from Democratic2008 edit 2008 Puerto Rico Resident Commissioner election Party Candidate Votes New Progressive Pedro Pierluisi 996 997 52 70Popular Democratic Alfredo Salazar 799 746 42 27Puerto Ricans for Puerto Rico Carlos Velazquez 45 154 2 39Independence Jessica Martinez 37 129 1 96Write in 12 773 0 68Total votes 1 891 799 100 00New Progressive holdDemocratic gain from Republican2012 edit 2012 Puerto Rico Resident Commissioner election Party Candidate Votes New Progressive Pedro Pierluisi incumbent 905 066 48 76Popular Democratic Rafael Cox Alomar 881 181 47 47Independence Juan Manuel Mercado 38 941 2 10Working People s Felix Cordova Iturregu 13 120 0 71Sovereign Union Movement Maria de Lourdes Guzman 11 764 0 63Puerto Ricans for Puerto Rico Sadiasept Guillont 5 647 0 30Write in 626 0 03Total votes 1 856 345 100 00New Progressive holdDemocratic hold2016 edit 2016 Puerto Rico Resident Commissioner election Party Candidate Votes New Progressive Jenniffer Gonzalez 718 591 48 80Popular Democratic Hector Ferrer 695 073 47 21Independence Hugo Rodriguez 39 704 2 70Working People s Mariana Nogales Molinelli 19 033 1 29Total votes 1 472 401 100 00New Progressive holdRepublican gain from Democratic2020 edit 2020 Puerto Rico Resident Commissioner election Party Candidate Votes New Progressive Jenniffer Gonzalez incumbent 490 273 40 83Popular Democratic Anibal Acevedo Vila 384 619 32 03Citizens Victory Zayira Jordan Conde 154 751 12 89Project Dignity Ada Norah Henriquez 94 059 7 83Independence Luis Pinero Gonzalez II 76 398 6 36Write in 788 0 07Total votes 1 200 888 100 00New Progressive holdRepublican holdSee also edit nbsp Puerto Rico portal nbsp Politics portalList of United States congressional districts Resident Commissioner of the PhilippinesNotes edit Gonzalez caucuses with the Republican Party References edit a b c Wines Michael July 26 2019 She s Puerto Rico s Only Link to Washington She Could Be Its Future Governor The New York Times a b James R Fuster Member of Congress from Puerto Rico August 29 1990 Our 51st State Newsweek Commish Jenniffer Gonzalez Colon Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico s At Large District Republican govtrack us January 3 2017 Retrieved September 28 2017 Brudnick Ida A Salaries of Members of Congress Recent actions and Historical Tables Senate gov Retrieved March 3 2015 a b c d e f g h i Rundquist Paul S Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico congressionalresearch com Retrieved August 3 2019 Pub L Tooltip Public Law United States 56 191 39 31 Stat 86 Pub L Tooltip Public Law United States 64 368 36 39 Stat 963 Delegates to the U S Congress History and Current Status External links edit Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Resident commissioner of Puerto Rico amp oldid 1196694792, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
