Murphy Urges Swift Action to Address Puerto Rican Crisis Before Recess

Press Release

In December, Speaker Paul Ryan vowed that Congress would put forward a "responsible solution" to the ongoing crisis in Puerto Rico before March 31st. With the deadline approaching and Congress set to adjourn tomorrow for almost three weeks, U.S. Representative Patrick E. Murphy made the following statement once again urging immediate Congressional action to address the Puerto Rican crisis.

"Speaker Ryan gave Congress three months to address the Puerto Rican crisis, but that was already far too long for the 3.5 million Americans on the island to go without relief. To further delay action for another three weeks is irresponsible," said Murphy. "Puerto Rico needs relief, and it needs relief now. Congress should act on the Puerto Rican crisis before adjourning."

Earlier this month, Murphy led Democratic members of the Florida Congressional Delegation in sending a letter of support to Resident Commissioner Pedro Pierluisi (PR) calling for Congressional action to address the health care crisis that is compounding the economic struggles impacting 3.5 million American citizens in Puerto Rico. This letter follows Murphy's recent op-ed calling for Congress to act immediately to help the residents of Puerto Rico by providing fair access to the judicial system to sustainably repay their debt and more equitable reimbursements under both Medicare and Medicaid.

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