Discovery’s Explainer series has taken on the question of Puerto Rico’s status. The video begins with a clear and simple introduction describing the relationship between Puerto Rico and the United States. As the narrator says, Puerto Rico has only one, non-voting representative in Congress. As a state, the island would have two Senators and five seats in the House.
The video discusses the economic issues involved in statehood for Puerto Rico, running through the fiscal crisis now facing Puerto Rico and the possible changes in taxation that could bring additional funds into the federal coffers.
The video ends with the suggestion that Puerto Rico’s financial issues “might be too much for the federal government to take on” through statehood. Congress and the Obama administration are already looking closely at the financial well being of the U.S.’s most populous territory and weighing options to address the current fiscal crisis.
