Puerto Rico referendum bill

Executive Summary

Passed by House Interior Committee Sept. 19 in 37-1 vote without amendments. HR 4765, sponsored by Rep. De Lugo (D-Virgin Islands), is silent on Section 936 tax credits, directing instead that federal policy changes will be addressed only after Puerto Rico holds a referendum on self-determination ("The Pink Sheet" Aug. 13, p. 7). In contrast, Senate Finance Committee's S 712, approved Aug. 1, would provide Puerto Ricans with a detailed plan for tax and social policy changes under each of three possible referendum determinations -- statehood, independence or commonwealth status.