Number: RS21151
Title: Puerto Rican Statehood: Effects on House Apportionment
Authors: David C. Huckabee, Government and Finance Division 
Abstract: Statehood for Puerto Rico would likely cause Congress to explore whether the current limit of 435 on the total number of Representatives should be changed. If Puerto Rico had been a state when the 2000 census was taken, it would have been entitled to six Representatives based on its 2000 census population of 3.8 million residents. These new Representatives could have been accommodated by either expanding the size of the House, or adhering to the current 435-seat statutory limit, thereby reducing the number of Representatives in other states.
Pages: 6
Date: Updated February 20, 2002