05.26.22

Chair Grijalva, Reps. Velázquez, González-Colón, and Other Members to Visit Puerto Rico, Seek Public Input on Historic Puerto Rico Status Act

Washington, D.C. – Next week, from Thursday, June 2, 2022 through Saturday, June 4, 2022, Natural Resources Committee Chair Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and a bipartisan group of Members of Congress, including Rep. Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.) and Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González-Colón (R-Puerto Rico), will visit Puerto Rico to seek input from members of the public and local elected officials on the Puerto Rico Status Act Discussion Draft. The Discussion Draft was recently announced at a May 19 press conference with House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.) and Governor of Puerto Rico Pedro R. Pierluisi.

Chair Grijalva will be available for interviews during the visit to Puerto Rico. Media interested in scheduling an interview or covering portions of the visit should contact Lindsay.Gressard@mail.house.gov. 

The Puerto Rico Status Act Discussion Draft is the product of a collaborative effort spanning several months between the sponsors of the Puerto Rico Statehood Admission Act (H.R. 1522) introduced by Rep. Darren Soto (D-Fla.) and the Puerto Rico Self-Determination Act (H.R. 2070) introduced by Rep. Velázquez. The draft bill represents an offer from Congress to the people of Puerto Rico to make an informed decision about their political future that will be bound by statute.

In addition to seeking input during the lawmakers’ visit, the Committee has launched an innovative online feedback tool via POPVOX to allow any member of the public to review the Discussion Draft and provide input. Anyone interested in reviewing and providing input on the Puerto Rico Status Act should visit: https://democrats-naturalresources.house.gov/puerto-rico-political-status

The tentative schedule of events for the lawmakers’ visit to Puerto Rico is below. Additional details, including times, locations, and opportunities for media are forthcoming. 

  • Thursday, June 2, 2022: Events TBD
  • Friday, June 3, 2022: Meetings with elected leaders of local political parties
  • Saturday, June 4, 2022: Public forum with organizations and members of the public (open press)

Press Contact

Media Contact: Lindsay Gressard

(202) 225-6065 or (202) 740-4715 mobile