resident commissioner
1
8.8
- noun
- /ˈrɛzɪdənt kəˈmɪʃənər/
- US
:
comisionado residente
- After the election, the resident commissioner will focus on advocating for Puerto Rico's statehood.
Examples
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The resident commissioner spoke at the town hall meeting.
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Carlos Romero-Barcelo is the resident commissioner who brings Puerto Rico's concerns to the U.S. House of Representatives.
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Elections are held every four years to choose the resident commissioner to represent Puerto Rico in Congress.
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The resident commissioner from Puerto Rico often advocates for increased federal funding.
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Unlike voting members, the resident commissioner cannot cast a final vote on legislation.
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Puerto Rico's resident commissioner advocates for local issues.
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The resident commissioner of Puerto Rico works to represent the island's interests in Congress.
Synonyms
784
3.5
A man chosen by voters to serve in the United States House of Representatives
404
3.9
A person elected to serve in the United States House of Representatives
8
3.4
A member of the United States Congress who represents people in a district
Surface Forms
Morphology
The parts 'resident' and 'commissioner' transparently suggest a public official representing residents, so a B1 learner could infer it denotes some kind of official role. However, the exact institutional meaning — the specific, non-voting Puerto Rican representative to the U.S. House — is a specialized political title and not predictable from the constituents alone, so full understanding requires world knowledge.
Etymology
The title resident commissioner comes from old government practice: a resident is an official who lives in a territory, and a commissioner is someone sent to 'represent' that territory in the central government. This image of someone who lives at home but is sent to speak for their place in the capital helps explain why the role represents Puerto Rico in Congress but is 'non-voting'.