Puerto Rico’s most recent plebiscite, held June 11, 2017, had a very clear outcome: 97% of voters chose statehood from the territory’s three status options (nationhood in addition to territory status and statehood). The islands’ political factions supporting nationhood and an unprecedented “Commonwealth status” that Federal officials have said is impossible for constitutional reasons had… Read more »
Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) and Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) wrote to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Mick Mulvaney, outlining the efforts required to get Puerto Rico and other areas hit by recent natural disasters up and running again. The letter lists the natural disasters which have… Read more »
On October 19, 2017, United States Senators sent a letter to Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Elaine C. Duke expressing concern about the accuracy of the death toll in the wake of Hurricane Maria. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Edward J. Markey (D-MA) explained in their letter that “[a]n accurate death toll is important for… Read more »
On Wednesday, several members of Congress in both the Senate and House of Representatives expressed their support for Puerto Rico. Numerous Senators expressed their support for Puerto Rico on the Senate floor: Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY), Senator Angus King (I-ME), Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR). A significant number of Representatives also… Read more »
Tom Perez, the Chair of the Democratic National Committee, has endorsed statehood for Puerto Rico. As first reported in Politico, Perez has issued a statement that he believes Puerto Ricans should have the same rights as those on the mainland and that his personal view is that statehood is the best method to provide full… Read more »
As results of the June 11 plebiscite vote have reached Washington this week, a number of congressional leaders have made statements or joined Gov. Rosselló in his visit to the nation’s capital. U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), a former chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the current highest ranking Democrat on… Read more »
Puerto Rico’s pro-“commonwealth” political party is pushing to include a “commonwealth” option on the ballot of a plebiscite that the territory’s legislature is scheduling to take place on June 11, 2017. Legislation to authorize the plebiscite is advancing through the Puerto Rican legislature. The United States government has repeatedly rejected many reiterations of “commonwealth” over… Read more »
The Puerto Rico Financial Oversight and Management Board wrapped up the business of its first formal meeting on Friday in 25 minutes. The meeting had been scheduled to last an hour and a half. In a session in which almost all words were read and there was little spontaneous conversation, the Board unanimously — Elected… Read more »
Senator Maria Cantwell, (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) were joined by 44 of their Democratic colleagues in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell demanding action on Puerto Rico’s fiscal problems. “We write to you with concern for the 3.5 million… Read more »
Two bills to resolve the financial problems of Puerto Rico were introduced by Republicans in the U.S. Congress yesterday. The legislative proposals were introduced after Senate Republicans blocked a move by Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) to grant the territory the authority of a State to enable insolvent instrumentalities to restructure debts under Federal Bankruptcy Code Chapter… Read more »
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