Grijalva on the Delay of the Puerto Rico Draft Legislation

San Juan, Puerto Rico – Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva commented on Chairman Rob Bishop’s (R-Utah) decision to delay release of a new draft of legislation addressing Puerto Rico’s $72 billion debt crisis.

“We are making progress, but we are not there yet. The situation in Puerto Rico is dire, but a bill that doesn’t solve the problem, or doesn’t pass, won’t help anyone,” Grijalva said.  “Families on the island need relief from the disastrous cuts to public services caused by the crushing debt load and collapsing economy; I remain hopeful that with a little more work we can get there.”

Grijalva is returning to Washington, D.C. after a three day trip to Puerto Rico where he met with community leaders and elected officials to discuss how Congress can best address the humanitarian crisis, restructure the debt, and allow the 3.5 million Americans who call Puerto Rico home to thrive.

The Natural Resources Committee Democratic staff released a Zika report earlier this month detailing how major spending cuts in Puerto Rico have left the island vulnerable to the virus. Last summer, the Committee released a report documenting the role of hedge funds in manipulating the debt crisis in Puerto Rico.

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