deemed non-fundamental constitutional provisions which
do not, of their own force, apply in unincorporated
territories. However, Congress is empowered by the
Territorial Clause of the Constitution to extend non-
fundamental constitutional provisions to unincorporated
territories. Congress may extend U.S. citizenship to the
residents of unincorporated territories. While Congress may
do so, it has never required the residents of unincorporated
territories to contribute to the support of the federal
government. The receipts of federal taxes levied on
residents of unincorporated territories are covered into
territorial treasuries.

WHAT IS "COMMONWEALTH"?
A. In the American scheme of things, "commonwealth" is
essentially a meaningless label which represents a
distinction without a difference. For example, Kentucky,
Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Virginia are officially
designated "commonwealths" by their state constitutions.
Nevertheless, they are states of the Union on equal footing
with the 46 other states.

Commonwealth of the Philippine Islands -- In 1934
Congress approved the Philippine Independence Act which
empowered the people of the Philippine Islands to organize
an interim constitutional government to lead the territory into
independence, (P.L. 73-124, March 24, 1934). The interim
government was designated "The Commonwealth Of The
Philippine Islands." All officers of the interim government
were required, by the Act of 1934, to subscribe to an oath
recognizing and accepting the supreme authority of, and
pledging to maintain true faith and allegiance to, the United
States of America. The Philippines became an independent
republic in 1946.

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico -- In 1950 Congress
authorized the people of Puerto Rico to adopt their own
constitution for local self-government, (P.L. 81-600, July 3,
1950). An accompanying report, (Senate Report No. 1779,
June 6, 1950), detailed the scope of the Act of 1950 as
follows: Adoption of a constitution would in no way change
Puerto Rico's fundamental political, social and economic
relationship to the United States: nor would it preclude a
future determination by Congress of the political status of
the Island. The accompanying House Report No. 2275,
June 19, 1950, stated that "Puerto Rico is unincorporated