Jenniffer González-Colón

Mrs. GONZALEZ-COLON

Mrs. GONZALEZ-COLON. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate engineer Milan Mora of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District, on his selection as the 2022 LTG John W. Morris Civilian of the Year. In the recovery process from natural disasters, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been a reliable partner for emergency response as well as infrastructure construction and protection of river and coastal resources for Puerto Rico, Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Milan Mora has been a key part of this team, as the Chief of the Jacksonville District's Water Resources Branch. Mr. Mora has shown true commitment to service in the protection of our communities and resources in the face of disasters and climate risks, and in support of American national security. In Puerto Rico he has been and continues to be a partner we can count on. Having been chosen for this award by his colleagues shows their recognition and respect, and I join in congratulating him, a true friend of Puerto Rico, for this achievement.

Mrs. GONZALEZ-COLON

Mrs. GONZALEZ-COLON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 259, the Post-Disaster Assistance Online Accountability Act. Again, I thank Chairman Graves for moving forward with this bipartisan initiative, for making it possible so early in this Congress, and for it to be considered today. I also thank my sister from the Virgin Islands, Stacey Plaskett, as well as Representatives Malliotakis and Cleaver for their support and as cosponsors on this legislation. H.R. 259 would provide an innovative and comprehensive approach to tracking Federal disaster projects and assistance, as well as the funds. It establishes a single online repository to report information about Federal disaster assistance to provide transparency to the American taxpayer. This proposal, developed in collaboration with the Project of Government Oversight, would establish a subpage for transparency of disaster assistance on the USASpending.gov website to better inform the public about the status of the use of disaster funding. And believe me, Mr. Speaker, every time I go back to the district every weekend this is the first question I receive from my constituents: What happened with the funds to the bridge? What happened with the funds to the school? What happened to the funds to the roads that are still damaged 5 years after a hurricane? Many people ask themselves these questions: Where is the Federal funding that has been approved by Congress? Where is the money that has been allocated to the Federal agencies? Does a contractor have it? Did the local government spend the money well? Those are general questions that everybody, at least in Puerto Rico, are asking. So this bill would require agencies that offered disaster assistance, including the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Small Business Administration, the Department of Agriculture, and many others, to regularly submit updated information to the Office of Management and Budget to ensure that the best possible data is available in an easily accessible format. The data to be published would include: the amount of disaster assistance provided by the agencies; the amount of disaster assistance that has been obligated or expended to projects or activities; and a detailed list of all projects or activities for which disaster assistance dispersed by the agency was expended, obligated, or used, including a description of the project or activity, as well as an evaluation of the completion status of that project. I think this will help not just the general public, not just American taxpayers, but also the government agencies to know where the funding is and when those projects are going to be completed. During the last few years, my district, like many others represented here in the House, has faced multiple hardships due to disasters. In Puerto Rico, we are still working through the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, the earthquakes of 2020, and last year's Hurricane Fiona. Much of the support has been approved for rebuilding--this Congress passed legislation allocating billions of Federal funding not just to Puerto Rico, but to Texas, to California, and to many other States--and, of course, we need better accountability and oversight to ensure this funding is being used as intended by Congress. H.R. 259 will foster accessibility and transparency of information to track Federal funding and its status. It will also enable local mayors and legislators, nongovernmental organizations, and individual constituents to know what funding has been used for, where the funding will go, and how much funding is left to be spent, among other information. In Puerto Rico we have put money here for hospitals, for piers, and for bridges, and people don't even know where the money is because the projects have not even begun yet. This kind of information will not only help Federal and local agencies but mostly the American taxpayers. This will allow better awareness of progress and utilization of resources and to ensure that streams of available funding are not overlooked or underutilized. The transparency provided with this bill will be essential for better congressional oversight of disaster recovery in all the States and communities where it has been received so agencies can account for how effectively it is being used, and if it is getting to the hands of the individuals and communities that need it and that it was intended to go to. Mr. Speaker, passing this legislation will assist efforts to improve Federal disaster response and make it more accountable and effective. I urge my colleagues to vote for passage of H.R. 259, the Post-Disaster Assistance Online Accountability Act.

Mrs. GONZALEZ-COLON

Mrs. GONZALEZ-COLON. Mr. Speaker, I would say, first of all, that I thank Chairman Graves for his leadership and for acting so swiftly to bring this bill to the floor of the House. Mr. Speaker, I proudly rise in support of my bill, H.R. 255. I thank Representatives Scott Peters of California, Stacey Plaskett of the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Neal Dunn of Florida for cosponsoring this legislation. H.R. 255 would establish a process to identify ways to streamline and consolidate the collection of certain disaster information to start the recovery process for individuals and families that were devastated by any natural disaster. Mr. Speaker, I hear about these issues with delays and confusion related to requirements and processing of disaster assistance on a regular basis. I meet with mayors of the island--and this is just in the case of Puerto Rico--but I know we do have the same process and the same situation across the Nation. This is a significant source of frustration for my mayors and my constituents as well as people all over the country. While FEMA is the lead Federal agency on disasters, many others are also often involved in disaster response and recovery, like, for example, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Small Business Administration, just to name a few. In the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, and the seismic activity in Puerto Rico in 2020, we discovered that Federal agency after Federal agency would require the same information in their preliminary assessments, which meant tens of thousands of site and damage assessments. We see some of this repeating itself in the aftermath of last year's Hurricane Fiona in Puerto Rico and Hurricane Ian in Florida and with other disasters across the Nation. This is not just a bill for the islands or the territories. This is a bill for the rest of the Nation on how to manage and get expedited help and response from Federal agencies. Currently, there is no process to share these assessments among Federal agencies, which ultimately causes significant delays for immediate relief and prolongs recovery. This is compounded by other administrative issues like frequent staff changes and constituents and mayors having to work with multiple personnel to handle a single application or request. In 2020, FEMA finally decided to begin consolidating assessments for Puerto Rico to speed up the delivery process across multiple Federal agencies. Many of these assessments are small, often one part of a larger project, which has continuously slowed down the recovery process. H.R. 255 would establish a Federal working group led by FEMA, in collaboration with the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency, to identify ways to reduce duplication and modernize the Federal management assessment process to make it truly agile and efficient. We need to ensure assistance is provided while safeguarding taxpayer funds. I think with this bill we can do both. Mr. Speaker, I think it is critical that these agencies are working together to minimize overlaps in their assessments and consider the use of the newest technologies to streamline processes. Very often, we, in the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, have these same discussions about what happened in Louisiana, what happened in Florida, what happened on the East Coast, what happened on the West Coast every time we have a natural disaster. It always is the same problem. I trust this bill will expedite disaster recovery across the Nation. As we have learned in Puerto Rico, it is not if the next disaster will occur, it is when it is going to happen and how we are going to face it. Every 1st of June, another hurricane season begins for the territories and the eastern coast. Since the last time this language passed the House in the 117th Congress, we had another direct hit with Hurricane Fiona. I am pleased we are considering this bill so early in this 118th Congress, and that is the reason I thanked our chairman for his marvelous job bringing this bill to the floor. I can, therefore, work quickly to make this proposal the law of the land as part of our efforts to better prepare for disaster response. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation.

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Senate amendment to H.R. 1917, the Hazard Eligibility and Local Projects Act, introduced by my colleague, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher from Texas, and which I am a proud cosponsor. The reason for that is that this bipartisan bill supports our communities with their preparation and response efforts to any disasters. Specifically, it will make them eligible for certain Federal disaster mitigation assistance for projects that began prior to submitting a request for assistance. The Senate amendment builds on this sound work by including a 3-year sunset clause that will allow Congress to assess the use of this authority and flexibility moving forward. We need to support our constituents in their efforts to safeguard our communities against any disasters. In my district, Puerto Rico, and in several others across the country, we know all too well the impact certain disasters may have on our health, economy, and of course, everyday life. This bill will support mitigation and related initiatives prior to the disaster taking place. As such, it reduces the need for post- disaster response funding and ensures the continuity of mitigation work once it has started. Timely mitigation measures create and promote resiliency and lead to a faster recovery. As a cosponsor of H.R. 1917, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, as amended.

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON. Madam Speaker, today I recognize the distinguished public service career of Leopoldo ``Leo'' Miranda-Castro, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Southeast Regional Director. He has served the Service with distinction and honor for more than 30 years and will be retiring at the end of this month. Leo began his career with the Service as a private lands biologist in our native Puerto Rico. Notably, his efforts in this position helped pioneer Puerto Rico's shade-grown coffee restoration, benefiting our Island's people and wildlife. An advocate of public-private conservation partnerships, he often points to the success of the shade- grown coffee industry as an example of how government and private landowners can work together to achieve win/win outcomes for wildlife conservation. After a decade working with private landowners in Puerto Rico, Leo went on to make contributions to conservation on a national level. As the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program Coordinator in the Service's Headquarters, he developed a strong national network of partners in support of nonregulatory, voluntary habitat restoration. Later, he became the Project Leader of the Service's Chesapeake Bay Field Office, where he encouraged collaboration and cooperation among public and private stakeholders to conserve the bay's complex ecosystem and the species that depend upon it. In 2012, Leo joined the Service's Southeast Region, serving as the Assistant Regional Director for Ecological Services. In this role, he promoted collaborative efforts to conserve species at-risk of needing federal protection, oversaw recovery activities for listed species like the Puerto Rican parrot, and applied innovative approaches to reduce the regulatory burden on private landowners and partners. For the last 4 years, he has led the Service's Southeast Region. His resolve to achieve outcomes through collaboration resulted in many conservation successes throughout the Southeast and the Caribbean. For example, the productive relationship with the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources was enhanced under his leadership and resulted in the removal of the Monito gecko--found only in Puerto Rico's Monito island--from the endangered species list. As Puerto Rico's sole Representative in Congress, I have been proud to work and partner with Leo over the last couple of years to advance our Island's conservation priorities. His efforts helped us secure critical investments to improve management and access for Puerto Rico's protected lands in partnership with local communities. This includes resources to rebuild the Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge's headquarters and visitor center, as well as road repairs at the Caribbean Islands National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Most recently, he was instrumental in leading a coalition of federal, state, and private stakeholders to secure funding to protect and restore our iconic Cabo Rojo Salt Flats, the most important stopover for migratory birds and shorebirds in the Eastern Caribbean and an important tourism and economic asset for southwestern Puerto Rico. Throughout his career, Leo has spent considerable time developing future conservation leaders, especially young talent underrepresented in the conservation workforce. Drawing from his own experience, he championed the Service's internship programs and initiated efforts to foster a welcoming culture and connectedness for students and new employees through mentorships and exposure to a wide array of Service programs and people. We are forever grateful to Leo for his leadership in conservation and commitment to keeping Puerto Rico a vibrant, beautiful place we call home. Gracias, Leo.

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON. Madam Speaker, today is a truly historic day for Puerto Rico. Ironically, it is also a perfect example of the island's colonial reality. I am Puerto Rico's only voice in Congress. I represent 3.2 million American citizens living back home, more constituents than anyone in this Chamber. Yet, while we consider a bill I helped write, a bill that will directly impact the life of every citizen I represent, I still must rely and depend on everybody here because I cannot vote on the floor. This is the best example of why this bill is so important for Puerto Rico. Today, Congress takes a step toward finally assuming its responsibility under Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2 of our Constitution to provide the people of Puerto Rico with an opportunity, a federally binding choice to democratically decide our future among three nonterritorial, constitutionally viable options: statehood, independence, and independence in association with the United States. For the first time in history, we are considering legislation that would authorize a self-executing plebiscite on the island. With the adoption of this bill, this Chamber is also recognizing and making clear that Puerto Rico's century-old territorial status is the problem and cannot be part of the solution. The territorial condition constrains the island's ability to prosper and has relegated the island to an indefinite second-class status when compared to the 50 States. This is the main reason behind social, economic, and physical challenges we have faced, forcing a mass exodus of millions of Puerto Ricans to the mainland in search of that equality. Congress has perpetuated by its inaction this dysfunctional political-economic condition, one that at its core is, as President Ronald Reagan once characterized it, ``historically unnatural.'' Because we are a territory, the people of Puerto Rico lack full voting representation in the House and Senate and cannot vote for the President, who sends our sons and daughters to war. Because we are a territory, the Federal Government can, and often does, treat us unequally under Federal laws and programs. Because we are a territory, we are treated as second-class citizens. Because we are a territory, I am here today discussing a bill related to one of our most critical issues, yet I cannot vote on this bill. This is the reason this discussion is so important. I support statehood for the island, and our people have voted not once, not twice, but three times already supporting statehood. In response, I introduced H.R. 1522, which, following the most recent precedents of Alaska and Hawaii, would have established a process to admit the island as a State of the Union in a simple yes or no vote. However, given the political realities in this Congress, and in the interest of advancing the status issue, I led negotiations on this bill before us. This bill would make an offer to the people of Puerto Rico to choose. I prefer statehood, but this bill would allow the people to choose between statehood, independence, or independence in association with the United States, and spell out the consequences of each option. Of course, this bill is not perfect, but at least it will advance the issue. Today, I remember the late Congressman Don Young of Alaska, who understood better than anyone else the inequities that come with being a territory and always championed statehood for Puerto Rico. Madam Speaker, never has a U.S. territory had to wait longer than Puerto Rico to become an independent nation or to become a State, and we have voted three times for that. We have more than earned the right to do so. Today, as the sole representative of the people of the island, I urge my colleagues to vote for this bill, H.R. 8393, and allow us to finally put an end to our shameful territorial status.

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON. Madam Speaker, on May 12, 2021, President Biden nominated the Hon. Gustavo Antonio Gelpi, Jr. to be a United States Circuit Judge in the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, to the seat left vacant by the late Judge Juan R. Torruella. On October 18, 2021, Judge Gelpi was confirmed by the Senate and received his judicial commission on October 19, 2021. I was honored to support his nomination. The U.S. Circuit Court for the First Circuit hears appeals from the U.S. District Courts of Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Puerto Rico, and Rhode Island. A voice for Puerto Rico--a civil law jurisdiction unlike the remaining common law jurisdictions under the Circuit's purview--is necessary for the fair and impartial application of the law. However, although the population of Puerto Rico is more than double that of each of the other districts in the circuit except for Massachusetts, Judge Gelpi is only the second judge of Hispanic origin and only the second judge from Puerto Rico ever to serve in that Court since it was established by Congress in 1891. I am confident that Judge Gelpi will give Puerto Rico the loud and booming voice in that Court that has been silent since Judge Torruella's passing. Judge Gelpi served in the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico for 20 years, first as a magistrate judge and then as district judge. During this time, he gained a reputation for being stern and serious, but patient and courteous; for having an even temper and a sense of humor; for having common sense and an understanding of the human condition; for being open to consider new legal theories but always following the law. As he goes on to take his seat in the First Circuit, I would like to remind him of Justice Sandra O'Connor's admonition to judges: ``Be independent, be fair, venture to be wise.'' ``Be independent''. Decide matters that come before you impartially, on the basis of facts, in accordance with the law, and without regards to outside influence, self-interest, prejudice, or favoritism. ``Be fair''. Stay true to the rule that all persons are equal before the eyes of the law. Make sure that judicial proceedings are conducted fairly and that the rights of the parties are respected. Remember that the appearance of fairness and impartiality is almost as important as the reality of it. ``Venture to be wise.'' Be humble and recognize that judges do not have monopoly on wisdom and that they will not get it right every time. Approach each case with an open mind and a willingness to learn. Be restrained in your decisions. Seek counsel from your fellow judges. I thank Judge Gelpi for his years of exemplary service to the people of Puerto Rico and I am certain that, in this new stage of his career, he will continue to serve the people of Puerto Rico with outstanding merit. I would also like to acknowledge my friend, Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, who was an invaluable ally in raising bipartisan support for Judge Gelpi's appointment. Because we worked together for the benefit of Puerto Rico, irrespective of party lines, we were able to secure the nomination and confirmation of the most qualified candidate for the job.

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON. Madam Speaker, I congratulate the Puerto Rico Hospital Association (PRHA) in its 80th anniversary of service to the people of Puerto Rico. The PRHA was established in 1942 with the mission of ensuring the quality of the services provided by the hospitals to the residents of Puerto Rico, and of improving the health of the residents of Puerto Rico by helping to provide the most comprehensive services possible. Throughout the years, the PRHA has participated in numerous national and international forums--such as the American Association of Hospitals (Washington D.C.), the International Federation of Hospitals (London, England), the Latin American Federation of Hospitals (Buenos Aires, Argentina) and the Ibero-American Organization of Private Healthcare Providers (Madrid, Spain)--in order to guarantee that the services provided by their members are world-class. The PRHA has consistently been a steadfast and an invaluable ally to the Office of the Resident Commissioner for Puerto Rico in the fight against the discriminatory treatment of the residents of Puerto Rico in federal social and healthcare programs. I recognize the assistance of the PRHA in our fight for the fair and sustainable funding of Puerto Rico's Medicaid program and of the fair and equitable treatment for Medicaid beneficiaries and providers in Puerto Rico. I also commend their steadfast advocacy in Congress on behalf of their members.

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for yielding. Today, I rise again in support of H.R. 5641, the SPEED Recovery Act, which is bipartisan legislation introduced by Ranking Member Graves that passed the House in April. This bill cannot be timelier as Puerto Rico is once again dealing with the effects of yet another major disaster, Hurricane Fiona, while also communities in Florida are facing Hurricane Ian as we speak. We do have a lot of experience in those small projects that are never done because of the red tape or the long procedures that need to be dealt with between municipalities and FEMA. Too often, cities and municipalities face the burden of rising costs of material and labor, which means that the cost estimate for relatively simple projects, such as street repairs, now surpasses the threshold for what is defined as a small project. Today, $123,000 hardly covers the most trivial work, and we can talk about that. I mean, we still have a lot of those small projects since Hurricane Maria that are not being done, and now, many of those projects were hit by Hurricane Fiona. Although the money is there, the process is so big that even the initial amount won't cover those repairs. We have had cases where there may have been resources to start and finish promptly, but because of the price tag, we are forced to go through a more complicated process with FEMA, which can take years, years in which the people wonder when they will see the work. When a community does not see even small things taken care of, that weakens the social fabric and promotes displacement. We cannot afford to keep going through that again. We have a responsibility to make the Federal Government more efficient, particularly in times of need. By increasing the threshold for eligibility for small projects, including adjustments for inflation, this bill will simplify that process, reducing administrative burdens, resulting in faster start of work and allowing more recovery projects to move forward. Mr. Speaker, I support this commonsense bipartisan legislation, and I urge all Members to support the Senate amendments and send them to the President's desk. Across the Nation, our communities will need it.

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON. Mr. Speaker, earlier this month, we were thinking about the 5 years since Hurricane Maria, and 5 years felt like nothing. Maria was one of our greatest natural disasters, causing collapse of all of the essential infrastructure in Puerto Rico. We still see the effects linger. My colleagues in Congress came with me to the Island and responded with funding for recovery. Staff from FEMA and other agencies have been working hard, but the effects have been slow to be seen. Major obligations for permanent infrastructure rebuilding began only in late 2020. Meanwhile, challenges continued: Earthquakes, COVID, supply chain crisis, a power grid that remains unreliable, uncertainty about the continuity of Medicaid and nutritional assistance funds. The people were exhausted and stressed. Then came Hurricane Fiona. Fiona did not bring Category 4 or Category 5 winds but, instead, rainfall like never before, up to 30 inches in some locations. It was raining 2 days before the hurricane and 2 days after the hurricane. Fiona caused a lot of flooding. It was historic and, in many places in the south of the Island, and the West, and the central mountains, beyond what was experienced for Maria. Thousands of families needed to be moved from flood waters in places like Salinas, leaving behind everything. In rural areas like Arecibo, San Lorenzo, Orocovis, Utuado, Barranquitas, bridges that had been repaired or replaced after Maria, and roads that had been cleared and repaved, are again washed out, damaged, and blocked by landslides. Housing and transportation work done after the last disaster, some even barely finished, now needs to be addressed again. The power system again fell into a blackout. Although a majority is back up, it is still shaky. More than 70 percent of the Island now has power. Plants at Aguirre and Costa Sur are running available units at the edge of capacity; distribution networks at Aguadilla, San Sebastian, and Bayamon needed to be attended by local governments. This slow-down recovery of the water system is a problem for citizens needing life support devices, and keeps businesses closed. Although there are sufficient fuel and supplies in the depots, communities have difficulty receiving enough because of transportation problems at a time of increased demand. The agricultural sector, that was expecting finally the first normal productive year after devastation of Maria, lost everything again. We lost 90 percent of our agriculture in plantains, bananas, and many others; back to square one. Across the land, in Lares, Patillas, Aibonito, Guanica, mostly small or family farms now are at risk of simply never coming back; a lot from damage, and others from heartbreak. Our low-income families face faster depletion of the funds for Medicaid and for nutritional assistance programs. It is not just a matter of more eligibility but continuity of the funding. A real answer to this would be true permanent equal treatment for Puerto Rico in these Federal programs, instead of a special provision over and over every year. I have engaged the President and many Federal agencies on this and other issues, to seek the needed support for the Island at this moment. Some Members of Congress, of this House, are traveling to Puerto Rico after Fiona, and I am, again, inviting all my colleagues who want to come and join me to see the need directly and hear from those who can tell you what is really happening. Today, we watch Florida also face a major disaster, and knowing firsthand what that means, I keep the people of Florida in my heart. Take care, and God bless and keep you in this time. I am sure that both Florida and Puerto Rico, we will come back from this disaster, and, as Americans, we must all stand together, in a bipartisan way, to make sure the rebuilding happens visibly and promptly.

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of amendment No. 66 included in En Bloc 3 and sponsored by Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez of New York. I am a cosponsor of this amendment, which supports an increase of $1 billion for the Nutrition Assistance Program in Puerto Rico for Fiscal Year 2023 . Unlike the 50 states, the U.S, Virgin Islands, and Guam, Puerto Rico does not participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP. Instead, we have the NAP block grant, which provides capped funding and serves over 1.4 million of my constituents on the Island. Due to limited funds, NAP does not automatically adjust to increases in demand These are most common in the aftermath of natural disasters, like we saw after the hurricanes in 2017, and most recently the COVID- 19 pandemic. Because of this, we have had to turn to Congress on multiple occasions to advocate for additional emergency NAP funds, included in various disaster supplementals. The most recent allotment, provided due to COVID-19, was expended last month, meaning Island residents who rely on this program have already noticed a significant reduction in their monthly benefits as we continue managing the challenges related to the pandemic and the rising costs of food. Additional funds are needed since, for many, NAP is the main program that secures their access to a healthy diet. Mr. Speaker, the true remedy to this issue is a transition to SNAP. Currently, NAP beneficiaries in PR receive far less in monthly benefits than their counterparts in SNAP, and don't have access to programs like D-SNAP. which is a vehicle to get expedited disaster assistance without depending on supplemental legislation. As such, I have introduced H.R. 5220, the Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act, which transitions Puerto Rico from NAP to SNAP, and I continue working with stakeholders to gather additional input on this issue moving forward. Still, there is an immediate need at hand. As such, I support this and every effort that seeks to secure additional funds for NAP and underscores the need to transition to SNAP I urge my colleagues to vote in favor.

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON. Madam Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Rogers for the work he and Chairman Smith did to put this bill together. I rise in support of the en bloc package No. 2 for the National Defense Authorization Act of 2023. This bill includes three of my amendments that will directly benefit our country's national security as well as the people of Puerto Rico. My first amendment, 413, directs the Secretary of the Army to ensure that a modular small arms range is made available for the Army Reserve in Puerto Rico. Currently, Puerto Rico only has a single firearms range for Department of Defense personnel. It is located in Camp Santiago, which is the south part of the island, which is managed by the Puerto Rico National Guard, and it is hours away from some of our Army bases on the island. This amendment was included in the House-passed version of the NDAA last year. Amendment 416 requires the Secretary of Defense to enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences to investigate the health effects on the island of Vieques that may have been caused by toxic waste left by the Navy after 70 years of live-fire training. This amendment was also included in the House-passed version of the NDAA last year. My third and final amendment, 417, would require the director of the Defense Health Agency to conduct a health-related behaviors survey among the members of all Armed Forces. This survey, which has been conducted for the past 30 years, was last conducted in 2018. However, an updated survey is necessary to provide the Department of Defense with up-to-date information to better understand the health, health-related behaviors, and well-being of all servicemembers. Information on topics such as access to mental healthcare, understanding the post-deployment needs, and promoting physical health are needed to identify resources and continue to improve the support provided to our servicemembers. Lastly, I will end by expressing my support for the following amendments that I cosponsored: 958, 968, and 1001, from my friend and fellow Women's Caucus member, Representative Lawrence from Michigan, that are included in the en bloc package. Madam Speaker, I encourage all Members to vote in favor of this en bloc package No. 2.

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON. Mr. Speaker, I thank the leadership and ranking member for allowing all the amendments and the language included in this bill. WRDA has always been key for infrastructure development projects in all our States and territories, and this year's bill will not be the exception. This has been a cornerstone in the process of Puerto Rico's recovery, and this legislation enables it to continue to do so. This bill includes the reauthorization of three major flood risk management projects in Puerto Rico: Rio Guanajibo in Mayaguez, Rio Nigua in Salinas, and Rio Grande de Loiza in Gurabo, that had waited for funding, in some cases, for over a decade, to the point that the original authorizations had to be withdrawn and new validation studies required. The projects had later received funding for at least their initial stages after passage of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, but needed this reauthorization so their development can continue with the planning and design, the allocated funding is protected from loss, and updated project needs can be addressed in the future so they can move on construction. So by advancing this legislation containing these provisions, this House demonstrates its commitment to our communities. I look forward for the approval of this bill. And again, I thank all the staff and leadership and the ranking member for allowing all these amendments.

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the selfless local leaders of Puerto Rico's Wounded Warrior Project and the contributions they make toward improving the lives of active-duty service members, veterans, and their families. The Wounded Warrior Project was founded in 2003 with a unique, non- partisan mission: to support those who have born the cost of war, whether their injury be physical or mental. Nowhere are these services needed more than Puerto Rico, where servicemembers and veterans alike face extra hurdles to accessing the care they need to recover from the sacrifices they made on behalf of our country. Despite these barriers, local leaders at the Wounded Warrior Project have led the way. Over the past year they have hosted 38 events for warriors and family members. This resulted in more than 385 engagements that helped heal, connect, and empower our post 9-11 veterans living in Puerto Rico. This past weekend they served their community again by holding an expo this Saturday that educated veterans on VA benefits, employment opportunities, and healthcare access. I want to thank the local peer support leaders and national staff who made this happen and who continue their selfless service to country and community.

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Graves for yielding time. Today, I rise in support of H.R. 5641, the SPEED Recovery Act, which is bipartisan legislation introduced by Ranking Member Graves with the support of Chairman DeFazio, Chair Titus, and Ranking Member Webster. This bill aims toward updating disaster recovery procedures. I can talk about that at length. During Puerto Rico's recovery from Hurricane Maria, many municipalities on the island faced the situation where, because of the rising costs of materials and labor, relatively simple projects such as a repair to a street or a minor building exceeded the current threshold for what is defined as a small project. That threshold today is around $123,000, which really only covers some minor work. This means that a lot of the work for which municipalities may have had the resources to cover their non-Federal share to start and finish promptly instead had to go through the full procedural chain for major projects to qualify for FEMA reimbursement. Those processes themselves have taken longer than expected. It took almost 4 years in the case of Puerto Rico after the 2017 hurricanes for those municipalities, FEMA, and the Puerto Rico Recovery Office to be able to agree just on the measures to make the processes faster. That is years in which the people wondered when they were going to see the promised reconstruction. When a community does not see at least small things being taken care of, that weakens our communities and promotes displacement. Increasing the threshold to $1 million, including adjustments for inflation, would allow more recovery projects to proceed under simplified procedures, reduce administrative burdens, and provide more certainty for all. This is a major step, and that is the reason I am supporting this bill. Most disaster claims are on a small, local scale where there is no need to navigate the same procedures over larger, more complex projects and tie up the resources of FEMA and other agencies just looking at those papers. Although FEMA and other agencies have been open to using the administrative flexibility the law provides, in many real-world incidents, that is not enough. These updates make the Stafford Act language match the realities of construction costs in our States, territories, and communities, which FEMA and the local authorities can then use in order to facilitate approval of the small projects. Believe me, this is the biggest burden we have in the case of Puerto Rico. Four years after the hurricanes, we are still dealing with this. Many heads of agencies, Cabinet members, and administrative positions from FEMA and the rest of the Federal agencies still travel to the island to see how they can do this faster, and it is not just red tape. It is amending this kind of language that will provide for those projects to be sped up. I support this commonsense bipartisan legislation and urge all Members to support it, and I thank the ranking member for doing this.

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend and former president of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Mike Turner, for yielding. Today, I am here as a proud cosponsor of H. Res. 831. I stand alongside our esteemed colleagues, the president of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Congressman Gerry Connolly, and past president, Congressman Mike Turner, to support the establishment of a Center of Democratic Resilience within NATO. Just yesterday, we celebrated 73 years since the formation of NATO, an alliance that has assured mutual defense to one another. Beyond our strategic military alliances, we also share a commitment to our democratic principles. And I think that is the most important thing about this resolution. Establishing an entity designed to promote, protect and strengthen democratic institutions will further advance the collective security of our allies and NATO's mission of promoting freedom, human rights, democracy, and of course, the rule of law. Mr. Speaker, I have had the honor to serve as a parliamentary member twice during my time in Congress, and both have given me the opportunity to witness NATO's defining trait, which is unity. Unity does not simply mean presenting a united front. It means being united in spirit and purpose. Today, as Russia wages war on NATO's borders, that unity of purpose is more important than ever. It is also clear that Ukraine shares in our spirit and purpose as well. That is why this resolution urges NATO to continue to provide unwavering support to the people of Ukraine as they fight for their sovereignty, territorial integrity, and a democratic future. We cannot, and we must not, allow Russia to dictate the terms of a sovereign nation's policy. I continue to support Ukraine to be afforded the opportunity to join our defensive alliance. I think it is clear that the past attempts to placate through indefinite delays for Georgia and Ukraine have ended in tragedy. Tragedy struck Georgia in 2008, and Ukraine again in 2014 and 2020, and are evidence of how effective denying them membership to NATO is for protecting peace. Evidence, especially in Bucha, indicates sanctioned mass killings, the rape and murder of small children, and targeting of civilian shelters housing infants and the elderly. All while the Russian leadership talks of a country that doesn't exist. Together, NATO must continue to present a united front. We must increase, of course, our aid to Ukraine, and we must ensure that countries make decisions to enter alliances without foreign interference. And this is the reason this resolution is so important, because of our principles and our united purpose. We must never cede an inch of our freedom or our values. I know that united, we can do this.

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to give tribute to Congressman Don Young. For almost 50 years, Congressman Don Young proudly represented all Alaska. The dean of the House, as he was affectionately known, was the ninth-longest tenured Member of Congress. His passing last week leaves a huge void for his constituents, for this body, and certainly for so many of us who had the honor of personally knowing Don. For me, personally, I thought he was a mentor for many of the issues that we shared together. Our paths first crossed when I was 20 years old and I was elected among a group of fellow young Republicans to meet Congressman Young when he visited the island to discuss its future political status. It was in that moment when I was able to witness firsthand his loyalty to the causes he deeply cared about, including Puerto Rico's quest for statehood. Little did I know at that time that I would have the fortune and honor to serve alongside him in the U.S. House of Representatives, and to sit on the two committees he ever served on and chaired, the Natural Resources and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committees. Congressman Don Young had a unique perspective when it came to Puerto Rico's fight for statehood and full equality as American citizens. He could relate because he moved to Alaska shortly after it was admitted into the Union as the 49th State. As Alaska's sole Representative in the House, he understood better than anyone else the inequities under the territorial status and the opportunities that statehood brings. He knew what kind of fight we would be in for, and he was with us every step of the way. He understood the difficulties of representing a non-contiguous district here in this body, and because of this, Puerto Rico found in him an immediate ally. He frequently visited the island and even served as an election observer in one of our most recent referendums, demonstrating once again his longstanding commitment to ensuring the island's 3.2 million American citizens had their voice heard. When former Speaker Paul Ryan was giving a tribute to Congressman Don Young when he became the dean of the House, he said: You always knew where he stood, but more importantly, you always knew where you stood with him. And that is because he made no secret of his politics or his opinion. He was a staunch supporter of utilizing domestic energy and mineral production and infrastructure development to spur economic growth. He also fiercely defended Alaska Natives' rights and worked tirelessly to ensure they were enabled to improve their lives and economic status. He was a loyal friend to organized labor and to his fellow veterans. Congressman Don Young was a legislative force of nature. He was the primary sponsor of 123 bills that were enacted into law, including legislation for the Trans-Alaska Pipeline in his first year in Congress. More often than not, he crossed the aisle on bills such as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, women's rights, such as the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, and the Magnuson-Stevens Act, otherwise known as the Young-Studds bill, which revolutionized Federal fisheries management and preserved the commercial fishing industry in Alaska and across the country. Mr. Speaker, Congressman Don Young's legacy will live on in every Alaskan, every Member who has served with him, and every staffer who has been fortunate to learn from him. His passing leaves a big void. He touched our lives deeply in so many ways, and this House will never be the same without Don. I pray for his wife, Anne; Congressman Young's two daughters; and his grandchildren. Godspeed, Don Young, and gracias.

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Puerto Rico's Women Veterans Day with a special story that reflects the bravery and sacrifice of our servicemembers. Earlier this year we celebrated the 100th birthday of First Lieutenant Carmen Vazquez. Carmen was born in Cidra, Puerto Rico, on February 15, 1921 and was raised by a single mother. She chose to enlist as a Nursing Aide during WWII, bucking social conventions of the time while performing essential medical care for the war's wounded. For her actions, she received the WWII Victory Medal, the American Theater Campaign Medal, and the Overseas Service Bars. After a short interlude of peace, she would receive a piece of mail from President Dwight D. Eisenhower asking her to return to service once more. She again answered the call, but this time she served as an officer in the newly minted United States Air Force. Her passionate service to country reflects the very best our nation can offer. Her service, like the service of all those who have served honorably in our Armed Forces, is an example for all of us during these difficult times when peace is too short, and wars are too common. On this Women Veterans Day, I hope we may all learn from Lt. Vazquez's example of enduring courage in the days to come, as each of us are asked to sacrifice in different ways for a greater good.

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON. Madam Speaker, you heard many of the Members of Congress supporting this quest of Puerto Rico's civil rights and democracy rights to vote. Sometimes people forget the contributions people of Puerto Rico have made to this great Nation, contributions that we feel proud of, like the nine Puerto Rican Medal of Honor recipients: Private First Class Fernando Luis Garcia, Master Sergeant Juan Negron, Private Demensio Rivera, Private Miguel Armando Vera, Private First Class Carlos Lozada, Staff Sergeant Conde Falcon, Captain Euripides Rubio, Specialist Hector Santiago, Captain Humbert Roque, and I can speak about many others. Historically, Puerto Rico has ranked among the top U.S. jurisdictions in terms of per capita military service. It is estimated that more than 18,000 Puerto Ricans served our Nation during World War I; 65,000 Puerto Ricans during World War II; 61,000 during the Korean war; 48,000 during the Vietnam war; 10,000 during the Gulf war, and 25,000 during Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Yet, just last week we have 300 more that are already in Poland with the current situation in Ukraine. That is the patriotism Puerto Ricans feel about this Nation. Why do all those soldiers never receive the same benefits from being in the military when they come back home? Why should they be treated differently with even programs that do not apply to them? And they cannot vote for the Commander in Chief? Even this Congress gave the Congressional Medal of Honor to our Borinqueneers, the 65th Regiment that fought in Korea, but yet they cannot vote for their Commander in Chief. Over 1,200 U.S. citizens of Puerto Rico have died while serving, paying the ultimate sacrifice in defense of America's freedom, while lacking full voting representations and equality back home. Defending freedom, defending democracy around the world, but not having them back home. Our island is proud and rich in the tradition of military service. Today, thousands of Puerto Ricans serve on Active Duty and Reserves and all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. Approximately, 8,400 currently serve in the Puerto Rico Army National Guard, and since 9/11 they have carried out over 16,000 deployments, more than 34 States in the Union. Over 90,000 American veterans call Puerto Rico home. Unfortunately, despite our military contributions and their honorable service on behalf of the Nation's ideals, the current territorial status hurts Puerto Rico's veterans and servicemembers. It denies them the representation in the Senate and in the House, and it denies them the right to vote for the President. It perpetuates the inequities of Federal laws and programs which are detrimental to veterans in terms of economic opportunity, health, security, and quality of life. Statehood for Puerto Rico and congressional action to end the territorial status will benefit our veterans and the thousands of Puerto Ricans who currently serve in the U.S. Armed Forces. It will provide them real democracy through a vote and equal representation in Congress; through the ability to elect their Commander in Chief; and through a permanent union with their fellow citizens in the States. This is the time to respond for Puerto Rico. This is the right of the island to become part of this great Nation, more than 105 years since being a territory. This is the time for Congress to act. You have H.R. 1522, a bipartisan bill with more than 79 cosponsors, Republicans and Democrats, asking for statehood and equality. With that, statehood will address many of the inequities in the Federal law that currently hinder economic growth and progress in Puerto Rico. Madam Speaker, we celebrate the U.S. citizenship for Puerto Rico, but we want statehood now. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON. Madam Speaker, how much time do I have remaining?

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON. Madam Speaker, I would like to recognize at this time and yield to the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Demings).

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz).

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON. Thank you, Maria Elvira. You touched my heart with those words. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Wild).

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON. Madam Speaker, I say thank you to our main sponsor. I will say, I don't have the vote here in the House so I depend on all Members of the House to support Puerto Rico in many ways. In that sense, I will be always grateful, Darren, for your commitment and your help. Madam Speaker, I recognize now a dear friend from Florida as well who is here. Before recognizing her, I recognize a former Member of the House and current Governor of Puerto Rico. Pedro Pierluisi is here on the floor of the House. Thank you, Governor, for supporting this. Madam Speaker, this is a bipartisan issue. You won't find any other bill that will have bipartisan support. This is not a Republican issue. This is not a Democratic issue. This is the cost of equal rights. This is civil rights. This is democracy. Madam Speaker, I cannot find a better person to speak about that than my good friend from Miami, Congresswoman Salazar. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Salazar).

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON. Madam Speaker, I rise today joined by a good group of colleagues and legislators here in the House to commemorate the 105th anniversary of granting U.S. citizenship to the people of Puerto Rico and to reaffirm our commitment to full equality for the island's two million Americans, which can only be achieved through statehood. Many people will ask how long has Puerto Rico been part of the United States? Before the Spanish-American War, Puerto Rico was part of Spain. After the Spanish-American War we became a possession, a territory of the United States in 1898. In 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt called on Congress to confer American citizenship to Puerto Ricans. Legislation was introduced to that effect between 1912 and 1913, which was supported by President William Howard Taft and then the Wilson administration. President Wilson had even campaigned in 1912 on a promise to ensure U.S. citizenship for Puerto Ricans. On this day, March 2nd, President Woodrow Wilson signed the Jones- Shafroth Act, which extended statutory U.S. citizenship to the residents of the island. The Jones-Shafroth Act would not be the last time Congress acted on a question of citizenship. In 1940, the Nationality Act conferred birthright citizenship to persons born in Puerto Rico. The signing of the 1917 law cemented our relationship as an integral part of the United States. For 150 years, Puerto Ricans have been proud American citizens, and we have contributed greatly to this country in every field of endeavor. We even have Supreme Court judges, a lot of entrepreneurs, and many others in many areas. We proudly uphold and defend the ideals that define our Nation, including more than 235,000 Puerto Ricans who have honorably served in the U.S. Armed Forces fighting side-by-side with our fellow citizens from the States. Yet, despite our contributions, despite a longstanding commitment to the values that come with being an American citizen, the reality is that we are still not equal. That is the reality of Puerto Ricans every day. And then you have 3.2 million Americans living on the island and more than 5 million living on the mainland. That tells you that because of the current territorial status, Americans in Puerto Rico lack full voting representation in this Congress. For example, I can represent people on this floor, but I cannot vote here for any measure that affects my island. I do the job of at least four Members of Congress. We do not have Senators that can be the voice of Puerto Rico because they are not elected on the island. Yet, we need to apply all Federal laws to the island but without having a say or a vote on each of them. Our people cannot vote for our President, our Commander in Chief, and we have no say in the Federal decisionmaking process, which impacts every aspect of our lives. Even though we are U.S. citizens and the Federal Government can and often does treat the island unequally under Federal laws and programs, and while it is true that Congress could pass legislation today to address some of those disparities, it is similarly true that any future Congress could undo such efforts. When you revise our Constitution, specifically, the territorial clause of the U.S. Constitution, Article IV, Section 3, it says specifically that: ``The Congress shall have power to dispose of and make all needful rules and regulations respecting the territory or other property belonging to the United States.'' Yet, we are the most powerful Nation on Earth still having a colony in the Caribbean for more than 105 years. That is the reason. Because we are a territory, we will be always at Congress' mercy. As a territory, we will never truly enjoy the same rights and responsibilities as our fellow citizens in the States. Only statehood can guarantee our full equality as U.S. citizens. That is why the people of Puerto Rico have voted to reject the current territorial status, not once, not twice, three times in a row. To be admitted as a State of the Union, most recently in November 2020 when a clear majority, an absolute majority of the people, 73 percent of the people who voted in that election, of those 73 percent of the people who voted, 53 percent voted for statehood. That is an absolute majority. You don't have any delegates. You don't have any mail. This is direct votes, in-person votes of the people of the island asking for statehood. Even statehood got more votes than any politician on the island. Statehood got more votes than any political party on the island. That means that is the biggest consensus ever on the island, three times in a row. As we commemorate the 105th anniversary of our American citizenship, it is crucial that Congress act to end Puerto Rico's undemocratic territorial status and to respond to a vote for equality through statehood. I am proud to have partnered with Congressman Darren Soto, our brother from Florida, to introduce bipartisan legislation to achieve this using H.R. 1522, the Puerto Rico Statehood Admission Act, that will make a formal offer of statehood. Never before has Congress even asked the people of Puerto Rico whether we want to continue as a territorial colonial status or we want to achieve statehood or independence. This will be the first time ever this question will be made to the people on the island coming from Congress in a binding process--same thing happened in Hawaii, same thing happened in Alaska. They were asked the simple question: Do you want to become a State of the Union, yes or no? That same question was a referendum we held locally in Puerto Rico by the local laws with that majority. To say that, this bill will make a formal offer of statehood, outlining a clear process to enable the island's admission into the Union, should it be ratified by Puerto Rican voters in a federally sponsored yes-or-no referendum. Having said that, I think it is time. It is long overdue that we resolve the Puerto Rican unfinished democracy business. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Soto), our main sponsor on the Democrat side.