What Makes America Beautiful

Statement

Dear Friend,

I have been tirelessly advocating to help Puerto Rico with its debt crisis. On Thursday, I voted for the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA), which overwhelmingly passed the House of Representatives. The bill restructures the Puerto Rican economy and provides access to healthcare and affordable housing across the territory. Although this bill is not perfect, it is the beginning of a brighter, better future for the island. Puerto Ricans are our fellow Americans and improving Puerto Rican economy is the right thing to do.

Improving our economy can only come from promoting effective policy that continues to make America a land of opportunity. This week House Republicans rolled out a poverty reduction program which they call "A Better Way.' Not only is the plan going the wrong way to reduce poverty, many working families would be stripped of nutrition and housing assistance, and child care subsidies. We cannot allow Republicans to push working families deeper into economic distress. If Republicans were serious about reducing poverty, they should work with Democrats to raise the minimum wage, adopt work-family policies and invest in good jobs. I will continue to fight for fair and commonsense legislation that ensures prosperity for our future, and allows all Americans to thrive.

House Republicans chose to dehumanize and defame Latino and immigrant communities once again by forcing the Library of Congress to use the slur "illegal aliens" instead of "noncitizen" and "unauthorized immigration" in its holdings. We must not allow the use of such bigoted terms against immigrants, whether documented or not. Like those before them, they came to America to seek a better life in pursuit of peace and prosperity. Immigrants continue to make America beautiful and stronger. I will continue to fight to defend the Latino and immigrant communities across the United States by urging the Library of Congress to use the phrases "undocumented" or "unauthorized" when referring to immigrants. No one should be dehumanized.

Thank you for the honor of serving you. Have a wonderful weekend!

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