The political and social climate of the United States is constantly evolving, and one hot button issue that has been up for debate in recent years is whether or not Puerto Rico should become a state. At first glance, it may seem like an easy question; why shouldn’t Puerto Rico become a state? Unfortunately, it isn’t as cut and dry as all that. Let’s take a look at the reasons why Puerto Rico isn’t currently a state.
Political Reasons
One of the most significant factors that contribute to why Puerto Rico isn’t a state is the current political landscape. As Puerto Rico is predominantly Democratic, there are concerns that making it a state would lead to more Democratic senators and representatives being elected to Congress. This could potentially put Republicans at risk of losing their majority in both chambers. As such, many Republicans have been hesitant to support the idea of making Puerto Rico a state unless certain conditions are met.
Constitutional Requirements
In order for any area to become part of the United States, it must meet certain constitutional requirements. This means that any potential states must have a population large enough to sustain itself without federal assistance, be able to pay taxes, be able to contribute to US defense efforts if necessary, etc. Unfortunately, due to its small population size (around 3 million people) and its precarious economic situation (Puerto Rico has had trouble paying its bills for years), these requirements are difficult for Puerto Rico to meet at this time.
Financial Considerations
There are also financial considerations when it comes to making Puerto Rico into a state—both from the government’s perspective and from the perspective of citizens living in Puerto Rico. For example, if Puerto Rico were made into a state, it would likely require millions of dollars in federal aid each year in order for its citizens to get by financially. This could be problematic for taxpayers living in other parts of the country who would have to foot the bill for this aid package every year. Furthermore, if taxes were raised on residents of Puerto Rico (as they typically are with new states), this could create further financial hardship on those living there who already struggle with poverty and low wages.
These are just some of the reasons why making Puerto Rico into a state has proven difficult over the years. Despite numerous attempts by Democrats and Republicans alike to make it happen, there still doesn’t seem like there will be any progress on this issue anytime soon—at least until certain hurdles can be cleared politically and financially speaking. Until then, we’ll just have to wait and see what happens next!