Bill Summary
This legislation, known as the "Territorial Representation in the Senate Act", aims to provide representation for the territories of American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands of the United States in the United States Senate. It establishes a nonvoting delegate from each territory who will be elected by the people every 6 years, with a special election in the case of a mid-term vacancy. The delegate must meet certain qualifications, including being a citizen of the US, a resident of the territory, and at least 30 years old. The government of each territory is responsible for determining the election process and other local matters related to the delegate. The delegate will receive the same compensation and benefits as a Senator, but will not have voting power in the Senate. The legislation defines "territory" as the five territories listed above.
Possible Impacts
1) This legislation could affect people living in American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands of the United States as it proposes to provide a nonvoting delegate to represent these territories in the Senate. This would give these territories a voice in the federal government and potentially impact their representation and influence in decision-making processes.
2) It could also affect individuals who are eligible to vote in these territories as they would have the opportunity to elect a nonvoting delegate to represent them in the Senate. This could potentially impact their political power and ability to advocate for their interests and concerns at the federal level.
3) Individuals who are interested in running for the office of delegate would be affected by this legislation as it sets specific qualifications for the position, such as being at least 30 years old, a US citizen for at least 9 years, and a resident and qualified voter in the territory.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5526 Introduced in House (IH)]
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116th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5526
To provide for a nonvoting delegate to the Senate to represent American
Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Puerto
Rico, and the Virgin Islands of the United States, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
December 19, 2019
Mr. San Nicolas (for himself, Ms. Norton, and Mr. Sablan) introduced
the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural
Resources
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To provide for a nonvoting delegate to the Senate to represent American
Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Puerto
Rico, and the Virgin Islands of the United States, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Territorial Representation in the
Senate Act''.
SEC. 2. DELEGATE TO SENATE FROM EACH TERRITORY.
Each Territory shall be represented in the United States Congress
by a Delegate to the United States Senate. The Delegate shall be a
nonvoting Delegate in the Senate, elected as provided in this Act.
SEC. 3. ELECTION OF DELEGATE.
(a) Electors and Time of Election.--The Delegate for a Territory
shall be elected--
(1) by the people qualified to vote for the popularly
elected officials of the Territory;
(2) at the first Federal general election occurring at
least one year after the date of the enactment of this Act and
at each Federal general election every 6 years thereafter; and
(3) at a special election, if required due to a mid-term
permanent vacancy.
(b) Manner of Election.--
(1) In general.--The Delegate shall be elected at large and
by a plurality of the votes cast for the office of Delegate.
(2) Effect of establishment of primary elections.--
Notwithstanding paragraph (1), if the Government of the
Territory, acting pursuant to legislation enacted in accordance
with the Constitution of the Territory, provides for primary
elections for the election of the Delegate, the Delegate shall
be elected by a majority of the votes cast in any general
election for the office of Delegate for which such primary
elections were held.
(c) Vacancy.--In case of a permanent vacancy in the office of
Delegate, the office of Delegate shall remain vacant until a successor
is elected and qualified.
(d) Commencement of Term.--The term of the Delegate shall commence
on the 3d day of January following the date of the election.
SEC. 4. QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICE OF DELEGATE.
To be eligible for the office of Delegate a candidate shall--
(1) be at least 30 years of age on the date of the
election;
(2) have been a citizen of the United States for at least 9
years prior to the date of the election;
(3) be a resident and domiciliary of the Territory prior to
the date of the election for a period to be determined by the
Government of the Territory;
(4) be qualified to vote in the Territory on the date of
the election; and
(5) not be, on the date of the election, a candidate for
any other office.
SEC. 5. DETERMINATION OF ELECTION PROCEDURE.
Acting pursuant to legislation enacted in accordance with the
Constitution of the Territory, the Government of the Territory may
determine--
(1) the order of names on the ballot for election of
Delegate;
(2) the method by which a special election to fill a
permanent vacancy in the office of Delegate shall be conducted;
(3) the method by which ties between candidates for the
office of Delegate shall be resolved; and
(4) all other matters of local application pertaining to
the election and the office of Delegate not otherwise expressly
provided for in this Act.
SEC. 6. COMPENSATION, PRIVILEGES, AND IMMUNITIES.
Until the Rules of the Senate are amended to provide otherwise, the
Delegate from the Territory shall receive the same compensation,
allowances, and benefits as a Member of the Senate, and shall be
entitled to whatever privileges and immunities are, or hereinafter may
be, granted to any other member of the Senate, except that a Delegate
shall be nonvoting on final Senate votes.
SEC. 7. DEFINITION.
For purposes of this Act, the term ``Territory'' means,
individually, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands of the United
States.
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