Commonwealth Status refers to a political relationship between a territory and a larger governing body, often associated with the United States. Territories with this status have a degree of self-governance but are not fully independent countries. They may have their own local governments and laws while still being subject to the authority of the U.S. Congress. An example of a territory with Commonwealth Status is Puerto Rico. Residents of Puerto Rico are U.S. citizens but do not have voting representation in Congress. This unique status allows for certain benefits, such as federal funding, while also limiting some political rights.