A joint resolution to approve a Constitution for the United States Virgin Islands.
Public Law 97-21 · H.J.Res. 238 · 97th Congress · began in the House
Signed by Ronald Reagan (R) on Jul 9, 1981 · Government Operations and Politics
Sponsor: Rep. Ron de Lugo (D-VI)
Cosponsors (6): Rep. Antonio Won Pat, Rep. Robert Lagomarsino,
Passage votes
- HouseVoice vote
- SenateVoice vote
Data notes
The final version of the law, as each chamber passed it. A chamber that passed it by voice vote or unanimous consent has no count. “Method not stated” means the record does not say how the chamber voted. Where the record has a member-by-member vote, the “Who voted for it” section shows who voted yea.
Summary
The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the fourth Constitution of the U.S. Virgin Islands is approved for submission to the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Establishes a constitutional review commission which shall periodically review the Constitution and report to the Virgin Islands' Senate its proposals for revisions of the Constitution. Sets forth a transitional schedule for the period between the date of the Constitution's ratification and its effective date.
Committees
The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.
Energy and Natural Resources Committee · Senate · hearings by (full committee), markup by, referred to, reported by
Data notes
A committee links to its page only where it exists in the current Congress; older and renamed committees are named without a link.
Timeline
From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 14 actions.
- Jul 9, 1981Became lawBecame law · Became Public Law No: 97-21.
- Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
- Jun 29, 1981PresidentPresident · Presented to President.
- Jun 16, 1981Resolving differencesResolving differences · House Agreed to Senate Amendments by Voice Vote.
- Jun 3, 1981FloorFloor · Passed Senate with amendments and with a preamble by Voice Vote.
- May 14, 1981CommitteeCommittee · Reported by Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
- May 12, 1981CommitteeCommittee · Markup by Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
- May 8, 1981CommitteeCommittee · Hearings by Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
- May 7, 1981CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
- May 5, 1981FloorFloor · Passed House by Yea-Nay Vote: 408 - 0 (Record Vote No: 29).House roll call 29
- Apr 30, 1981CommitteeCommittee · Reported by House Natural Resources Committee
- Apr 29, 1981CommitteeCommittee · Markup by House Natural Resources Committee
- Apr 28, 1981CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Natural Resources Committee
- IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in the House
Data notes
Shows the introduction, each committee and subcommittee step the source dates (referral, hearings, markup, report, discharge), and the floor, conference, presidential and became-law steps. Calendar placements, messages between the chambers, amendments and committee report numbers are not shown for laws before the 108th Congress. Two entries the source lists twice are shown once.
Official record
The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.