Resident Commissioner

Resident Commissioner. The Resident Commissioner is a non-voting delegate to the United States House of Representatives from certain territories of the United States, including Puerto Rico, Guam, the United States Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. This position is similar to that of a United States congressional delegate from other territories, such as Washington, D.C., and is modeled after the Articles of Confederation and the United States Constitution. The Resident Commissioner participates in debates and committee work, but cannot vote on final passage of legislation, similar to delegates from other territories, such as Eleanor Holmes Norton from Washington, D.C. and Madeleine Bordallo from Guam.

Introduction

The Resident Commissioner position was established by the Foraker Act of 1900, which provided for a non-voting delegate from Puerto Rico to the United States House of Representatives. This act was signed into law by President William McKinley and was modeled after the Treaty of Paris, which ended the Spanish-American War and granted the United States control over Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. The Resident Commissioner is elected by the people of the territory they represent, similar to United States congressional elections, and serves a term of two years, concurrent with the term of the United States House of Representatives. The Resident Commissioner is a member of the Democratic Party or the Republican Party, and often works closely with other members of their party, such as Nancy Pelosi and Kevin McCarthy.

History

The history of the Resident Commissioner position dates back to the early 20th century, when the United States first acquired territories in the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. The Foraker Act of 1900 established the position of Resident Commissioner for Puerto Rico, and subsequent laws, such as the Jones-Shafroth Act of 1917, expanded the position to other territories, including Guam and the United States Virgin Islands. The Resident Commissioner has played an important role in the development of these territories, working closely with United States Presidents, such as Theodore Roosevelt and Franklin D. Roosevelt, and United States Congress members, such as Henry Cabot Lodge and Robert A. Taft. The Resident Commissioner has also worked with other territorial delegates, such as Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin from American Samoa and Gregorio Sablan from the Northern Mariana Islands.

Powers_and_Responsibilities

The Resident Commissioner has several powers and responsibilities, including the ability to participate in debates and committee work in the United States House of Representatives. The Resident Commissioner is a member of the House Committee on Natural Resources and the House Committee on Small Business, and often works on issues related to energy policy, environmental policy, and economic development. The Resident Commissioner also has the power to introduce legislation, although they cannot vote on final passage of bills, similar to delegates from other territories, such as Eleanor Holmes Norton from Washington, D.C.. The Resident Commissioner often works closely with other members of the United States House of Representatives, such as John Boehner and Nancy Pelosi, and with United States Senators, such as Mitch McConnell and Harry Reid.

Election_and_Term

The Resident Commissioner is elected by the people of the territory they represent, similar to United States congressional elections. The election is typically held every two years, concurrent with the election of the United States House of Representatives. The Resident Commissioner must be a resident of the territory they represent and must be at least 25 years old, similar to the requirements for United States Representatives. The Resident Commissioner serves a term of two years, although they can be re-elected indefinitely, similar to United States Representatives such as John Dingell and Robert Byrd. The Resident Commissioner often campaigns on issues related to the territory they represent, such as statehood for Puerto Rico or Guam, and often works with other territorial leaders, such as Governor Ricardo Rosselló of Puerto Rico and Governor Eddie Calvo of Guam.

Current_Resident_Commissioners

The current Resident Commissioners are Jenniffer González from Puerto Rico, Madeleine Bordallo from Guam, Stacey Plaskett from the United States Virgin Islands, Amata Coleman Radewagen from American Samoa, and Gregorio Sablan from the Northern Mariana Islands. These individuals were elected in 2016 and are serving a term of two years, although they can be re-elected indefinitely. The current Resident Commissioners are members of the Democratic Party or the Republican Party, and often work closely with other members of their party, such as Nancy Pelosi and Kevin McCarthy. The current Resident Commissioners are also working on issues related to disaster relief and economic development in their respective territories, following Hurricane Maria and other natural disasters.

Former_Resident_Commissioners

There have been several former Resident Commissioners, including Félix Córdova Dávila from Puerto Rico, Antonio Won Pat from Guam, and Ron de Lugo from the United States Virgin Islands. These individuals played an important role in the development of their respective territories and worked closely with United States Presidents, such as Theodore Roosevelt and Franklin D. Roosevelt, and United States Congress members, such as Henry Cabot Lodge and Robert A. Taft. Former Resident Commissioners have also gone on to serve in other roles, such as Governor of Puerto Rico or United States Ambassador to other countries, such as Pedro Rosselló and Charles G. Boyd. The legacy of former Resident Commissioners continues to shape the development of their respective territories and the role of the Resident Commissioner in the United States House of Representatives. Category:United States congressional delegates