US Supreme Court Upholds Exclusion of Puerto Ricans from Federal Benefits Program

U.S. Supreme Court, Upholds Exclusion of Puerto Ricans, from Federal Benefits Program.

Associated Press reports the Supreme Court has ruled that Congress is within its power to deny Puerto Rican citizens access to a federal benefits program.

Associated Press reports the Supreme Court has ruled that Congress is within its power to deny Puerto Rican citizens access to a federal benefits program.

The United States' highest court voted eight to one that making Puerto Ricans ineligible for the Supplemental Security Income program did not violate their constitutional rights.

The program grants benefits to older, disabled and blind Americans and is available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

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The one dissenting vote reportedly belonged to Justice Sonia Sotomayor, whose parents were born in Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico has been a territory of the U.S. since the Spanish American War in 1898.

Puerto Rico has been a territory of the U.S. since the Spanish American War in 1898.

The residents of Puerto Rico are considered U.S. citizens.

Puerto Rican citizens are permitted to vote in primaries but not allowed to participate in presidential elections.

They also have limited representation in Congress.

The AP points out that many Puerto Rican citizens also do not pay federal income tax.

Justice Brett Kavanaugh defended the decision, citing an earlier federal ruling that excluded Puerto Rico from being eligible for the SSI.

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Justice Brett Kavanaugh defended the decision, citing an earlier federal ruling that excluded Puerto Rico from being eligible for the SSI.

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The AP reports that many in Puerto Rico were outraged by the decision, including Governor Pedro Pierluisi.

The AP reports that many in Puerto Rico were outraged by the decision, including Governor Pedro Pierluisi.

The decision ... once again confirms that the territorial status of Puerto Rico is discriminatory for the island’s U.S. citizens and allows Congress to do what it wants with us, Pedro Pierluisi, governor of Puerto Rico, via Associated Press