62 years since Hawaii joined the United States of America, the US map has hardly changed. Even when the US fought in wars abroad, the number of federal states has not changed since 1959. But this might change soon.
From D.C. statehood and self-determination for Puerto Rico to abolishing the Electoral College and ending the filibuster, nothing should be off the table to strengthen our democracy.
— Robert Reich (@RBReich) January 27, 2021
It's far past time to stop enabling a minority to impose its will over the majority.
Less than a month after the progressive new governor of Puerto Rico has been sworn in, Pedro Pierluisi has announced that "it is time for Puerto Rico to become a US state."
The new governor, known for his pro-statehood stances, has always promised his voters to work towards making the US-controlled island populated with 3 million people a US state, especially after amounting criticism against the US administration's disregard of the economic challenges faced by Puerto Ricans, whether following the devastating 2017 hurricane Maria or the coronavirus pandemic that has infected 126k and killed more than 1000 people on the island so far.
JUST IN - Governor Pedro Pierluisi (D): "The time has come for Puerto Rico to become a state."
— Disclose.tv ? (@disclosetv) January 27, 2021
For months now, Puerto Ricans have been protesting being excluded from the US government's plans against poverty, which is one of the major issues the new governor has pledged to work for.
Denying full representation to over 700,000 residents of the majority-minority District of Columbia is a civil rights injustice. The time for #DCStatehood is now.
— Senator Alex Padilla (@SenAlexPadilla) January 28, 2021
Proud to join @SenatorCarper on his bill to grant Washington, DC statehood. https://t.co/MSQgpKaFfC
I think I see one that allows Guam to decide between statehood and independence on his desk too
— Rich DiCriscio (@richdicriscio) January 20, 2021
As soon as Pierluisi's statement went viral online, many Twitter users wondered if the same applies to other US territories that don't qualify as states yet, such as the District of Columbia where the US capital is located, and the Western Pacific island of Guam, suggesting that more and more US territories might be demanding self-determination or statehood soon.
NEW: House and Senate Democrats introduce legislation that would make Washington, DC, the 51st US state. https://t.co/uZpcB6nhPs
— NBC News (@NBCNews) January 27, 2021
Last night, the US Congress, which has been fully taken over by the democrats recently, has introduced a new bill considering making DC the 51st state.
