Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States. Compared with the States, however, it is struggling economically. Forty-four percent of the overall population lives in poverty, and the proportion rises to 57% for children. For the States as a whole, the average poverty rate is 14.6%. The poorest State, Mississippi, has a poverty rate… Read more »

Rep. Don Young (R-AK) has died at the age of 88. He was the longest-serving member of Congress, having been first elected in 1973. With 24 terms completed, Rep. Young was the longest-serving Republican in history. Rep. Young moved to Alaska from his native California shortly after Alaska became a state, and his experience with… Read more »

Humira is the world’s best selling drug. It provides more than 60% of the revenue collected by its manufacturer, AbbVie. It’s made in Puerto Rico. And its patent is about to run out. Expiring drug patents have more to do with the changes in the Island’s pharmaceutical manufacturing than changes in tax laws, and Humira… Read more »

The Puerto Rico government has created an educational campaign to encourage people to apply for money that they are eligible for through the Child Tax Credit program. The Child Tax Credit in Puerto Rico The Child Tax Credit provides a refundable tax credit for parents of as much as $3,600 per child. In Puerto Rico,… Read more »

On March 9, American Samoa Delegate Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (R) offered remarks in the House of Representatives in recognition of Puerto Rico’s 105th anniversary of attaining U.S. citizenship. Her remarks, entitled “Full Equality for Puerto Rico,” came on the heels of related statements made by numerous members of Congress on March 2, the official… Read more »

As consensus continues to build on the need to transform Puerto Rico’s status from a U.S. territory – sometimes called a colony – into a more dignified governing arrangement based on democratic principles, free association is increasingly seen as a consensus status in which supporters of all alternatives can get what they want. Although many… Read more »

After decades of confusion, it is now well established that there is not and has never been a Compact of Free Association between the United States and Puerto Rico. Given increased recognition of Puerto Rico’s territorial – and colonial – status, there is increased interest in Puerto Rico becoming independent and then starting a new… Read more »

Gregorio Igartúa has a simple piece of advice for Congress: “Listen to the voters of Puerto Rico when it comes to the Island’s status.” In an article of this name at Townhall.com, Igartúa referenced President Biden’s remark to Rep. Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon, the Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico. The president said, “If I lived in Puerto Rico,… Read more »

The issue of voting rights has been on the minds of many in Congress and across the nation this year. But voter suppression in Puerto Rico has not been discussed as much. Yet it can be argued that any discussion over Puerto Rico’s political status that does not recognize and respect recent plebiscite votes –… Read more »

“For 105 years, Puerto Ricans have been proud American citizens. We have contributed greatly to this country in every field of endeavor,” said Rep. Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon (R-PR) from the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives on March 2, American Citizenship Day. “We have proudly upheld and defended the ideals that define our nation, including… Read more »