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H.R. 6941House117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

Territorial Representation in the Senate Act

Sponsored by Michael F. Q. San NicolasRep. Michael F. Q. San Nicolas (D-GU)
Introduced March 7, 2022

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 8, 2026 at 9:51 AM UTC

The Territorial Representation in the Senate Act would create a nonvoting delegate in the U.S. Senate for each of the five U.S. territories—American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The delegates would be elected by the territories’ voters and would have the same pay and privileges as senators, but could not cast a final vote on legislation. The bill applies to residents of those territories and requires each territory’s legislature to approve the position and set election rules.

Key Provisions

  • Each territory may have a nonvoting Senate delegate, but only if its local legislature chooses to adopt the position
  • Delegates are elected by the territory’s voters at the first federal general election at least one year after the law’s enactment and every six years thereafter, with special elections for vacancies
  • Candidates must be at least 30 years old, U.S. citizens for nine years, residents of the territory, qualified voters, and not running for another office
  • Delegates receive the same salary, allowances, and Senate privileges as voting members, except they cannot vote on final Senate measures
  • Territories can set local election details such as ballot order, special‑election procedures, and tie‑breaking methods

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action
HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Natural Resources Committee

March 7, 2022

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

March 7, 2022

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Natural Resources Committee

March 7, 2022

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued March 7, 2022

I

117th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 6941

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 7, 2022

Mr. San Nicolas (for himself, Mr. Sablan, Ms. Norton, and Ms. Plaskett) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources

A BILL

To provide for a nonvoting delegate to the Senate to represent American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands of the United States, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Territorial Representation in the Senate Act.

2.

Delegate to Senate from each Territory

(a)

Nonvoting delegate

Subject to local legislative approval in accordance with subsection (b), each Territory shall be represented in the United States Congress by a Delegate to the United States Senate. The Delegate shall be a nonvoting Delegate in the Senate, elected as provided in this Act.

(b)

Local legislative approval

The local legislature of each Territory shall—

(1)

determine whether the Territory will be represented by a nonvoting delegate as authorized by this Act; and

(2)

establish such procedures as the legislature may deem appropriate to modify the determination described in paragraph (1).

3.

Election of delegate

(a)

Electors and time of election

The Delegate for a Territory shall be elected—

(1)

by the people qualified to vote for the popularly elected officials of the Territory;

(2)

at the first Federal general election occurring at least one year after the date of the enactment of this Act and at each Federal general election every 6 years thereafter; and

(3)

at a special election, if required due to a mid-term permanent vacancy.

(b)

Manner of election

(1)

In general

The Delegate shall be elected at large and by a plurality of the votes cast for the office of Delegate.

(2)

Effect of establishment of primary elections

Notwithstanding paragraph (1), if the Government of the Territory, acting pursuant to legislation enacted in accordance with the Constitution or Organic Act of the Territory, provides for primary elections for the election of the Delegate, the Delegate shall be elected by a majority of the votes cast in any general election for the office of Delegate for which such primary elections were held.

(c)

Vacancy

In case of a permanent vacancy in the office of Delegate, the office of Delegate shall remain vacant until a successor is elected and qualified.

(d)

Commencement of term

The term of the Delegate shall commence on the 3rd day of January following the date of the election.

4.

Qualifications for office of delegate

To be eligible for the office of Delegate a candidate shall—

(1)

be at least 30 years of age on the date of the election;

(2)

have been a citizen of the United States for at least 9 years prior to the date of the election;

(3)

be a resident and domiciliary of the Territory prior to the date of the election for a period to be determined by the Government of the Territory;

(4)

be qualified to vote in the Territory on the date of the election; and

(5)

not be, on the date of the election, a candidate for any other office.

5.

Determination of election procedure

Acting pursuant to legislation enacted in accordance with the Constitution or Organic Act of the Territory, the Government of the Territory may determine—

(1)

the order of names on the ballot for election of Delegate;

(2)

the method by which a special election to fill a permanent vacancy in the office of Delegate shall be conducted;

(3)

the method by which ties between candidates for the office of Delegate shall be resolved; and

(4)

all other matters of local application pertaining to the election and the office of Delegate not otherwise expressly provided for in this Act.

6.

Compensation, privileges, and immunities

Until the Rules of the Senate are amended to provide otherwise, the Delegate from the Territory shall receive the same compensation, allowances, and benefits as a Member of the Senate, and shall be entitled to whatever privileges and immunities are, or hereinafter may be, granted to any other member of the Senate, except that a Delegate shall be nonvoting on final Senate votes.

7.

Definition

For purposes of this Act, the term Territory means, individually, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands of the United States.