of residents leaving Puerto Rico to seek greater opportunities and a better quality of life available in a State. Approximately 65 percent of all people of Puerto Rican origin now live in the States, with the increasing rate of population loss in the territory creating a severe strain on the local tax base and workforce participation. (14) Other than its unincorporated territory status and its unequal treatment in some laws, Puerto Rico is socially, economically, politically, and legally integrated into the Nation. (15) Puerto Rico has held two plebiscites under local law on status proposals that are possible under Federal law in 2012 and 2017. In 2012, a majority of the vote rejected the current territory status and 61.2 percent chose statehood among the alternatives. In 2017, 97.1 percent of the vote was for statehood on a ballot amended as advised by the Department of Justice. (16) No United States territory that has petitioned for statehood has been denied admission into the Union. (17) Congress has recognized Puerto Rico’s right to determine its future political status ( Public Law 114–187 , enacted June 20, 2016), which, consistent with status votes in most territories that have become States, may include a Yes or No vote on statehood. (18) Congress has appropriated funding to the State Elections Commission of Puerto Rico to conduct a plebiscite by which Puerto Rican voters will determine the future political status of Puerto Rico ( Public Law 113–76 , enacted January 17, 2014). (19) Granting equality through statehood to Puerto Rico is long overdue in light of the historical contributions of its residents to the United States and its potential to further strengthen our Union and the 102 years of political and economic discrimination against the United States citizens living in Puerto Rico. 3. National policy declaration This Act constitutes the commitment of Congress that, if Puerto Rico chooses statehood, subject to the provisions stated herein, Puerto Rico shall be declared to be a State of the United