Story highlights Puerto Ricans voted for statehood in a low-turnout, nonbinding referendum in June

Congress ultimately has the final say on whether Puerto Rico becomes a state

Washington (CNN) The devastation in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria has brought the small island off the coast of Florida -- home to 3.4 million American citizens -- into the spotlight.

Some critics of the federal government's response have raised concerns that help to the island is lagging because it is a US territory and not a state. (Residents on the island are US citizens.)

Puerto Ricans voted for statehood in a low-turnout, nonbinding referendum in June, but the island has repeatedly voted with mixed results on statehood in the past. Congress ultimately has the final say on whether Puerto Rico becomes a state.

As The New York Times reported , the number of Puerto Ricans moving to Florida over the last few weeks -- and the number that could move in the coming months -- could tip the purple state in future elections.

But how could Puerto Rico rock the national political stage if it's given full-fledged status as the 51st state in the union? Here's a look at how it would affect Congress and, perhaps, the White House.

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