Washington DC - The US House on Thursday passed a bill that would allow Puerto Rico to hold a binding referendum on its political status, including the option for full independence.

HR 8393, the Puerto Rico Status Act, passed 232-191 with 216 Democrats in favor and 16 Republicans against.

The bill calls for a binding plebiscite for Puerto Ricans to determine whether they want to become a US state, gain full independence, or have sovereignty in free association with the US. The third option means Puerto Ricans would have the right to self-government, but the US would retain control in certain areas like national defense or international affairs. Each free association agreement is unique as agreed upon by the two parties in question.

Whichever option Puerto Ricans choose, there would be time allotted to transition into the new status. The legislation also calls for the creation of a non-partisan voter education campaign leading up to the vote.

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The US first invaded and occupied Puerto Rico in 1898 during the Spanish-American War. The archipelago is currently considered a US territory, where residents may be drafted into the US military but are not allowed to vote for US president. Their congressional representatives do not get to vote on legislation.

On top of that, Puerto Ricans pay payroll taxes, which go toward federal programs like Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, but they do not get access to those programs themselves.

With the 117th Congress coming to a rapid close, the US Senate has little time to approve the Puerto Rico Status Act to give it a chance of passing this year. Since the legislation was not on the calendar, it is unlikely it will go to a vote in this narrow window.

In any case, getting the 60 votes required to send the bill to President Joe Biden's desk is by no means guaranteed.

That means the whole process of introducing and passing the legislation will likely have to begin from square one in the new Congress, when Republicans are set to take control of the House.

If the Puerto Rico Status Act somehow makes it through the Senate before the winter recess and Biden signs it, the referendum will be set for November 5, 2023.