Puerto Rico Resident Commissioner Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon has introduced a new Puerto Rico Statehood Admission Act. The bill (H.R. 4901) calls for a federally-sponsored plebiscite asking voters simply whether Puerto Rico should become a State. This up-or-down inquiry is the same question Hawaii and Alaska used when they became States of the Union. Under the bill… Read more »
A Congressional subcommittee will hold a hearing tomorrow at 10:30 am to examine health care funding in the U.S. territories. The hearing, which is entitled “Strengthening Health Care in the U.S. Territories for Today and Into the Future,” will cover Puerto Rico’s upcoming extreme loss of Medicaid funding, often referred to as the “Medicaid Cliff.”… Read more »
Many Americans are surprised to learn that nearly half of all U.S. households don’t pay federal income taxes, and many of these households receive tax refunds from the IRS. To followers of federal policy towards Puerto Rico, this statistic carries a certain irony because Puerto Ricans do not pay federal income taxes from Puerto Rico sourced… Read more »
The PROMESA Financial Board (FOMB) recently sent a strong reply to six of the 34 congressional Democrats who wrote a critical letter to the board three weeks ago. The congressional letter was organized by the incoming chairman of the House committee with jurisdiction regarding PROMESA, Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), and signed by three senators who are… Read more »
On Dec. 31, 1972, Roberto Clemente died in a plane crash as he was traveling to Nicaragua. The 38 year old baseball giant was delivering aid to earthquake victims. At the time, he lived near Piñones in Loíza, Puerto Rico. Jose Serrano (D-NY), Nydia Velázquez (D-NY), Luis Gutiérrez (D-IL), and Darren Soto (D-FL) have introduced… Read more »
Following a strongly-worded letter from Governor Rossello, 58 members of Congress have written to Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin asking that the Treasury take action on disaster relief loans to Puerto Rico. “We are concerned by reports of reduced loan amounts and repayment requirements,” the legislators wrote, “and believe that you must ensure that your… Read more »
Following Governor Ricardo Rosselló’s announcement to privatize the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA), Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Rep. José E. Serrano (D-NY) wrote today to the Governor requesting additional details on the plan, including assurances on affordable rates and reliable service. “It is evident to us that… Read more »
The landmark federal tax reform proposal released on Friday includes a provision to encourage economic growth in Puerto Rico and other economically distressed areas that was requested by Puerto Rico Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González-Colón and several other members of Congress in a letter to congressional tax leaders. The tax bill omits several of the group’s other… Read more »
Almost 60 Democratic Member of Congress sent a letter last week to U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) and U.S. Senate Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) regarding the ongoing healthcare crisis in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The letter begins with a succinct desire to “avoid further fatalities” in the U.S. territories affected by Hurricanes… Read more »
On November 7, the House Natural Resources Committee held an oversight hearing “Examining Challenges in Puerto Rico’s Recovery and the Role of the Financial Oversight and Management Board” The witness panel was composed by Natalie Jaresko, Executive Director Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico, Noel Zamot, Revitalization Coordinator Financial Oversight and Management Board… Read more »
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