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Velázquez Files Amicus Brief Seeking Parity in Benefits for Puerto Rico

Statement

Date: Feb. 11, 2019
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Federal, State and Local Relations Legal

Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) has filed an amicus brief in the case of Sixta Gladys Peña Martinez, et al. v. Alex Azar, et al., pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, in which she argues that the unequal treatment of Puerto Rico residents under certain federal benefits programs is unconstitutional.

"Too often, Puerto Rico is treated as a "footnote' when it comes to federal policies," Velázquez said. "The sad irony is that this disparate treatment stems from an actual footnote in a Supreme Court case that established the precedent for this unequal treatment. That ruling was wrong then and the unfair policies are wrong now and must be changed."

The full amicus brief is online here.


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