Each U.S. territory can elect a delegate to the House of Representatives. In the 3rd Congress, from 1794 to 1795, the first nonvoting delegate, James White, represented the “territory south of the River Ohio,” which later became Tennessee. During the 103rd Congress, from 1993 to 1995, five delegates represented American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, Guam, and the Virgin Islands. Delegates receive office space and staff, serve on committees, and have traditionally worked to promote statehood for their territory. They can vote in committee, and in the 103rd Congress, rules were changed so that delegates can also vote when the House meets as a committee of the whole, to debate and vote on amendments. Delegates can participate in all legislative business except the final vote on bills.
In the Senate, only states can be represented. Some territories and the District of Columbia have elected “shadow senators” to lobby for statehood, but they are not officially part of the Senate. They neither serve on committees nor participate in other proceedings.
See also Committee of the whole; Shadow senators
