Hoyer Remarks at a Press Conference to Demand Action for Puerto Rico

Press Conference

House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) joined a press conference led by Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez with House Democrats, educators, and health care workers to call on Republicans to take up additional federal assistance for our fellow Americans living in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and to highlight the harmful impact of the GOP Tax Scam on the recovery efforts. Below is a transcript of his remarks:

"I am pleased to join my friend, Nydia Velázquez, and so many others who are here who are going to speak up. Today, we will have a vote that will be a vote on delaying action, on delaying responsibility for the sole purpose of not working on help for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, for not helping on numerous other issues that will be important to the American people, tomorrow. But we will vote on a delay so that the Republican majority can work on its tax bill, a bill that as Nydia Velázquez has just indicated advantages the best off in America to the disadvantage of those less well off.

"Puerto Ricans were already facing a serious fiscal crisis before the natural disaster Irma on September 9th and Maria on September 20th. We cannot responsibly address the island's recovery and help rebuild stronger than before without taking into account the effects of the dangerous tax bill that will adversely affect the people of Puerto Rico. How ironic, that we are not giving the aid and assistance that is needed but on the other hand -- [Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard] Neal I'm sure will speak to this -- we are damaging the people of Puerto Rico through the tax bill. This tax legislation will make it harder for Puerto Rico to emerge stronger from the storms and get its fiscal house in order.

"Republican tax legislation also excludes critical tax incentives to help the storm recovery, which is a shame because Puerto Ricans on the island and the Virgin Islands need all the tools we can provide, as we did for Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy. Let us not treat our brothers and sister in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands disparately. We are one nation, united.

"Our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands continue to face desperate shortages of clean water -- some two months after the storms hit -- in the richest country on the face of the earth. Schools are closed and only 68% of island residents have had their power restored -- three months after the storm.

"This Republican tax bill only makes things worse. That is the reason, and the only reason, they want another two weeks to fund the government. They've had ninety days to address this issue. Ninety days since the middle of September and they have not acted. Further delay is unjustified, which is why you will see Democrats voting against further delay.

"We will continue to raise our voices on behalf of 3.6 million American citizens in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands who are struggling to put their lives back together.

"You mentioned the season, this is the season. The time is now to make sure that we make our Puerto Rican brothers and sisters and our Virgin Islanders, whole. The Trump Administration should join in demanding that we take action. And with Republicans in Congress imposing additional challenges on them, our Puerto Rican and Virgin Islands brothers and sisters are struggling and think we do not care.

"Let us send a message of care, of help, and of urgency. Thank you very much, Nydia."

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