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D.C. and Puerto Rico Statehood
Table of Contents
  • Introduction
  • How Would D.C. or Puerto Rico Become a State?
    • Washington, D.C.
    • Puerto Rico
    • Other Inhabited Unincorporated U.S. Territories
  • Pros
    • Pro 1: D.C. residents are American citizens who are treated like second-class citizens.
    • Pro 2: Puerto Rico residents are American citizens who are treated like second-class citizens.
    • Pro 3: Denying D.C. and Puerto Rico statehood is a racist and partisan ploy to deny voting rights to about 3.8 million voters.
  • Cons
    • Con 1: D.C. was never intended to be a U.S. state.
    • Con 2: Puerto Rico was never intended to be a U.S. state.
    • Con 3: Granting D.C. or Puerto Rico statehood is a partisan ploy by liberals to unfairly gain more voters for the passage of legislation that the majority of Americans reject and which couldn’t win approval under existing laws.
  • 1-minute Survey
  • Discussion Questions
  • Take Action
  • Sources
References & Edit History Related Topics
Images
Puerto Rico flag Flag of Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C. San Juan, Puerto Rico Tutuila Island in American Samoa
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D.C. and Puerto Rico Statehood: Related Content

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Photos

Puerto Rico flag
Flag of Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Tutuila Island in American Samoa
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The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica. "D.C. and Puerto Rico Statehood". Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 Jun. 2025, https://www.britannica.com/facts/DC-and-Puerto-Rico-statehood-debate. Accessed 15 June 2025.
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