Aumua Issues Statement on House Passage of Puerto Rico Debt Bill

Washington D.C. –Friday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata, issued the following statement after the House of Representatives passed the Puerto Rico debt restructuring legislation, H.R. 5278, better known as PROMESA.

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“While this is certainly not a perfect bill, it is the best possible legislation that could pass the House with much needed bi-partisan support. After months of negotiations and redrafts, the bill the House voted on reflects the results we can achieve, when we come together to find a solution on common ground, and I am proud to be a Member of the House Natural Resources Committee, who worked to bring this essential legislation to the floor.

Both Chairman Bishop, Ranking Member Grijalva, Members of the Committee and the committee staff, were forced to make tough decisions in reaching the compromise, and it speaks to their leadership that the bill passed despite opposition.

The Puerto Rico bill includes language that specifically protects the principle of local self-government in American Samoa. The bill creates a financial oversight board for Puerto Rico, appointed by the President. A similar board for American Samoa will never happen, unless it is requested by the Fono, and signed by the Governor of American Samoa.

PROMESA is such a high-profile piece of legislation, which deals directly with the territories, so my fellow Territory Members and I felt it necessary and prudent to offer amendments that would assist in the financial stability and growth of the insular areas. Specifically, we sought to fire the opening volley so to speak on any follow-up legislation to PROMESA.

The Administration and Congressional Leadership made it very clear from the beginning that any amendments that were ruled “Out of Order”, would not be considered in the passage of the bill. Despite this declaration from leadership, we decided to go forward with our amendments, so that they could be brought to the forefront, and serve as a place-marker so that they will be included in additional legislation to assist Puerto Rico, which will surely follow PROMESA.

Each of our amendments is very straight forward, as to minimize any prolonged debate. My amendment would apply the Child Tax Credit to the territories, Mr. Sablan’s amendment would apply the Earned Income Tax Credit to the territories, and Mrs. Bordallo’s amendment would remove the cap on Medicaid funding to the territories.

While these measures certainly won’t eliminate the outstanding debt currently afflicting Puerto Rico, they would have a direct impact on it, and would help spur further economic growth.

My fellow colleagues from the territories and I will continue to push for these changes, which will help to level the playing field between the states and the territories, and hopefully help prevent us from possibly having to come back here in a few years to address the same issue again.”

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