Jenniffer González-Colón

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Lucas for yielding me the time. I rise in strong support of H.R. 617, the Department of Energy Veterans' Health Initiative Act, introduced by my colleague, Congressman Ralph Norman from South Carolina. I think this bill is very simple, but very essential at the same time. It essentially authorizes collaboration between the Department of Energy and the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish a program that facilitates computing capabilities to process data on health issues affecting all of our veterans. The bill will subsequently support the Veterans Administration with identifying potential health risks and challenges that our communities have. I think it is important because combining those processing capabilities with health information compiled by the VA will help us to better understand the healthcare issues related to our veterans and the general population as well and ensures that both agencies will remain at the forefront of scientific and medical research. I am a proud cosponsor of this bill on behalf of our veterans. Actually, we have more than 90,000 veterans registered in Puerto Rico, and we are very grateful to Congressman Ralph Norman for introducing this bill. I want to also thank Chairwoman Johnson and Ranking Member Lucas for their great work together on behalf of the scientific community and our veterans. I urge all of my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill.

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Mr. Speaker, I think this is a very important bill, and I am proud to support H.R. 1837, the United States-Israel Cooperation Enhancement and Regional Security Act, that will make our bilateral security and economic cooperation stronger and more stable than ever before. On September 14 of 2016, the U.S. and Israel signed a memorandum of understanding ensuring $33 billion of military and strategic support over a 10-year period. It reaffirmed the importance of continuing annual U.S. military assistance to Israel, our cooperative missile defense programs, in addition to other shared economic and technology interests. The bill before us codifies that assistance for the next 10 years, while providing us with the flexibility to increase that support should Israel be under an imminent threat of a military attack. It strengthens Israel's qualitative military edge and advances our collaboration on a range of issues, such as cybersecurity and space exploration, as well as authorizing $12 million for the U.S.-Israel Energy Center and, through USAID, advances our common goals of promoting agriculture, education, and trade with other countries around the world. As our strongest and most capable ally in a turbulent region, Israel is an essential U.S. strategic partner. Israel is also a target for hostile actors who call for her destruction. Just 2 months ago, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hamas terrorist groups launched over 600 rockets and mortars at Israeli civilian targets, killing four and wounding eight. May was Israel's deadliest month in almost 2 years. In addition to the threat coming from these terrorist groups, Israel faces a threat of a resurgent Iran, whose militias and proxies, from Iraq to Syria to Lebanon, continue to grow in numbers, weapons, and strength. Just recently, Chairman Deutch and I heard firsthand from Prime Minister Netanyahu some of these complex and serious existential challenges that seek to undermine our strategic ally. Mr. Speaker, it is now more important than ever that the United States stand with the democratic Jewish State of Israel and what she represents, which is freedom, democracy, and equality in that region. For that, I encourage my colleagues to support this bill.

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 549, the Venezuela TPS Act, introduced by the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Soto), my friend. Madam Speaker, I am a proud cosponsor of this bill, essentially allowing Venezuelan nationals living in the United States to be eligible for temporary protected status. This status will extend travel authorization, allow lawful employment, and, ultimately, prevent their removal from the United States. The crisis in Venezuela is dire. In April, I had the opportunity to travel to Colombia with other Members of Congress to visit a humanitarian aid center on the border with Venezuela. I saw firsthand the appalling conditions that our Latin American brothers and sisters are enduring, and believe me, it is worse than anyone can imagine. The hunger and the need experienced in the country are unprecedented and heartbreaking. Over 90 percent of the population is living in poverty; 7 million people need humanitarian assistance; and diseases that have been previously eradicated have, unfortunately, returned. To make matters worse, there is a shortage of 85 percent of necessary medicines to treat those diseases on the ground, while infant mortality rates have increased by 30 percent and maternal mortality rates have increased by an alarming 60 percent. This is unacceptable, Madam Speaker. The main obstacle at hand lies in the hands of Nicolas Maduro and his ruthless dictatorship. He is holding the people of Venezuela hostage, depriving them of basic human rights. Additionally, the number of Venezuelans migrating to Puerto Rico has doubled since the crisis began and can be expected to continue increasing as long as Maduro remains in power. I will continue working to move this bill so that Venezuelans can have a temporary safe haven in our country, where they can live freely. Madam Speaker, I do understand that the House needs to do something about this, and I urge my colleagues to do the same and support this bill.

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Keller for the opportunity. I am very humbled but, at the same time, very proud to rise in support of H.R. 2325, legislation that I introduced to designate the United States Postal Service facility located at 100 Calle Alondra in San Juan, Puerto Rico, as the ``65th Infantry Regiment Post Office Building.'' Shortly after Puerto Rico became a U.S. territory in 1898, Congress authorized the creation of a unit of volunteer soldiers on the island. Then, in 1920, the unit was redesignated as the 65th Infantry Regiment of the United States Army, and it served as the Nation's last segregated unit, composed mainly of Hispanic soldiers coming from Puerto Rico. Members of this regiment--commonly known as The Borinqueneers after the Taino word for ``Puerto Rico'' meaning ``land of the brave lord''-- represent the best of our island's proud and rich tradition of military service. Despite their relatively limited combat service in World War II, the regiment suffered casualties defending against enemy attacks. Individual soldiers from this unit earned one Distinguished Service Cross, two Silver Stars, two Bronze Stars, and 90 Purple Hearts. However, it was during the Korean war that the 65th Infantry Regiment's patriotism and courage came to be widely known and admired. Fighting as a segregated unit from 1950 until 1952, the Borinqueneers participated in some of the fiercest and toughest battles of the war. The Borinqueneers not only fought the enemy on the battlefield, but they also had to overcome negative stereotypes held by some of their commanders and fellow soldiers. Brigadier General William Harris, who commanded the regiment during the early stages of the Korean war, would recall that he had been reluctant to assume command of the unit just because of the prejudice within the military, but that his experience eventually led him to regard the members of the 65th Infantry Regiment as the best soldiers he had ever seen. General Douglas MacArthur, commander in chief of the United Nations Command in Korea, would similarly write that ``The Puerto Ricans forming the ranks of the gallant 65th Infantry give daily proof on the battlefields of Korea of their courage, determination, and resolute will to victory, their invincible loyalty to the United States and their fervent devotion to those immutable principles of human relations which the Americans of the continent and Puerto Rico have in common. They are writing a brilliant record of heroism in battle, and I am indeed proud to have them under my command. I wish that we could count on many more like them.'' For its extraordinary service during the Korean war, the Borinqueneers received many unit-level awards, including two Presidential Unit Citations. Soldiers in the regiment earned a total of nine Distinguished Service Crosses, approximately 250 Silver Stars, over 600 Bronze Stars, and more than 2,700 Purple Hearts. Even 60 years later the laurels continued, as Master Sergeant Juan Negron, who served in the 65th Infantry Regiment, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, our Nation's highest military decoration. In 2014, actually, this same House enacted legislation to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the Borinqueneers. The 65th, consequently, became the first Hispanic unit and the sole unit from the Korean war to receive this distinction, and they were the last unit to launch a battalion-sized bayonet attack by the U.S. Army. Madam Speaker, H.R. 2325 allows us to continue honoring the Borinqueneers' service by designating the U.S. Post Office in San Juan as the ``65th Infantry Regiment Post Office Building.'' This recognition is made even more significant when considering that this Federal building is located adjacent to one of Puerto Rico's main avenues. Do you know the name? It is the 65th Infantry Regiment Avenue. That is how proud we feel about our Borinqueneers. The story of these soldiers is emblematic of the courage of thousands of Puerto Rican soldiers who, for generations, have fought and bled alongside their fellow Americans to defend the United States across the world. Madam Speaker, as Puerto Rico's sole representative in this Congress, I urge my colleagues to join me in further recognizing their sacrifice, their legacy, by supporting this bill.

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in full support of the Territories Healthcare Act, which is scheduled to be considered in full committee markup tomorrow. This bill addresses the multiple disparities of the Medicaid program in all U.S. territories, including Puerto Rico. Medicaid on the island has a funding cap and a limitation of 55 percent of the Federal Medical Assistance Percentages, impacting the island's ability to furnish healthcare costs and services for close to 1.4 million people in Puerto Rico. This bill will address these issues, increasing the cap and adjusting the FMAP for 4 years. If we do not address this issue, we are challenging medical access and services to approximately 1.4 million of my people. Current social and political problems should not eliminate our understanding of what the people need and our responsibility toward them. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to continue their support and advocacy for healthcare parity for territory residents.

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Mr. Chairman, I thank Ranking Member Thornberry and Chairman Smith for including my three amendments, amendments No. 162, 163, and 164, in this en bloc package. Amendment 162 requires the Department of Defense to review the effects on preparedness and support to States and territories in connection with natural disasters, threats, and emergencies prior to inactivating Army watercraft units. There are four of these vessels in Puerto Rico. They were instrumental during the recovery process after Hurricane Maria and conducted several recovery missions, including delivering food and other essentials to island municipalities and the Virgin Islands. This role should be taken into account as part of the review process prior to divesting any of the Army's watercraft systems, especially considering the multiple jurisdictions that have been recently impacted by natural disasters. Amendment No. 163 seeks to help us speed up the Federal cleanup and decontamination process in the former military ranges on the island municipalities of Vieques and Culebra. Specifically, my amendment directs the General Accounting Office to complete a study and a report to the congressional defense committees on the status of the process, including an analysis of the pace of ongoing environmental restoration efforts and potential challenges and alternatives to accelerate their completion. This comprehensive study will allow us to explore the most effective and secure methods to complete the cleanup process in Vieques and Culebra, which is vital to improve the quality of life of island residents. The last amendment, amendment No. 164, highlights the importance of the Department of Defense counter-drug operations in the transit zone and Caribbean basin. It expresses the sense of Congress that combating transnational organizations in the region, particularly in and around Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, is critical to national security of the United States, and that the Department of Defense shall work with the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State and other relevant partners to improve surveillance capabilities and maximize the effectiveness of counter-drug operations in the region. That is the reason I strongly urge my colleagues to support this effort, and I thank you for including these three amendments in the en bloc package. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Madam Chair, I thank Ranking Member Fortenberry and Chairman Bishop for including in this en bloc group amendment my bipartisan amendment No. 103 to provide funding for the Reimbursement Transportation Cost Payment Program for Geographically Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers. This program in USDA will reimburse farmers and ranchers in Puerto Rico, as well as in other U.S. foreign territories, Hawaii and Alaska, a portion of the costs that they may incur when transporting their agricultural products or equipment. Our farmers and ranchers outside the continental U.S. operate at a competitive disadvantage relative to producers in the 48 contiguous States, partly due to geographic barriers and high transportation costs. This program will help us address this reality by providing payments to help ranchers and farmers in the noncontiguous States or territories offset some of these costs. This program has been funded at $1.9 million over the last couple of fiscal years, and my amendment will seek to provide the same amount of funding for fiscal year 2020, with a corresponding offset. Madam Chair, I want to thank Representatives Gabbard of Hawaii, Plaskett of the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Radewagen of American Samoa for cosponsoring my amendment, and I urge my colleagues to endorse it.

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Madam Chair, today I rise to speak on behalf of the bipartisan amendment No. 41 to division C of the Defense appropriations division to H.R. 2740. My amendment seeks to provide an increase of $4,356,000 to further support the Department of Defense's Innovative Readiness Training program, bringing its total recommended funding level for fiscal year 2020 to $30 million. This proposed increase is made possible by reducing the Operation and Maintenance, Defense-wide account by the same amount. The Innovative Readiness Training program, IRT program, is a Department of Defense military training opportunity, exclusive to the United States and its territories, that delivers joint opportunities to increase deployment readiness. Simultaneously, IRT provides key services with lasting benefits for communities across our Nation, thus strengthening the bonds between the American people and the U.S. military. Each year, this program enhances deployment readiness for approximately 7,000 servicemembers by providing hands-on, real-world training experience for mission-essential tasks, often in remote or underserved areas across the country. Military units have an opportunity to refine their engineering, healthcare, diving, and transportation skills by performing services and developing projects for American communities that otherwise would not have the resources to conduct them on their own. In 2018, the services led 39 missions across the United States. My constituents in Puerto Rico are among those who have greatly benefited from this program. A year after Hurricane Maria devastated our island, 200 servicemembers participated in two of these missions to provide no-cost medical and construction services to local residents. Through the Ola de Esperanza Sanadora mission, they assisted local authorities in providing medical, dental, and optometry care to over 3,800 patients. Similarly, they partnered with Habitat for Humanity to build a three-family home designed to resist hurricanes in the Quintana neighborhood of San Juan. Earlier this year, the 1st Mission Support Command and the U.S. Army Reserve Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico soldiers joined more than 500 members from different DOD components in a mission on the island that provided medical service to over 9,000 patients, delivered over 2,000 eyeglasses, and completed over 10,000 medical procedures. Participating units, therefore, increased their readiness and obtained valuable, hands-on training experience while helping thousands of their fellow American citizens in Puerto Rico receive the care they need. Other communities across the Nation have also benefited greatly from this program. In Alaska, as an example, the program supports missions like Operation Arctic Care, which provided roving medical and dental care to rural and Alaska Native villages. In the Northern Mariana Islands--and I want to thank Congressman Sablan for being an original cosponsor of this amendment--these missions have helped renovate and improve the Tinian Health Clinic. In Mississippi, this mission has partnered with a local foundation in a multi-year mission to build a special-needs camp. Given how these missions have been vital in improving our servicemembers' readiness while simultaneously offering quality services to thousands of Americans, I strongly believe Congress should provide as much support as possible for the program. This amendment seeks to do that. I commend Chairman Visclosky, Ranking Member Calvert, and the House Appropriations Committee for including a $10 million increase above the President's budget request, and my amendment simply seeks to complete this effort by providing an additional increase to bring the program total budget to $30 million, consistent with the recommended funding level in the Senate version for the fiscal year 2020. Madam Chair, I want to conclude by thanking my colleague Congressman Sablan from the Northern Mariana Islands for cosponsoring my amendment. I urge my colleagues to join this effort, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Madam Speaker, on June 4, we will celebrate 100 years since Congress passed the 19th Amendment, which correctly recognized women's right to vote. At that time, only one woman had served in Congress: Jeannette Rankin, in 1916, from Montana. But today, we have more women serving in this Congress than ever before, with 131. In this proud moment for both women and our Nation's history, we also honor the suffragists who, more than a century ago, paved the way that allows women to take part in this democratic process and that also allows me to stand here as the first woman elected to represent Puerto Rico in Congress. Because of our territorial status, Puerto Rico has been historically excluded from our national process, including the 19th Amendment ratification process. Prior to becoming a U.S. territory in 1898, Puerto Rico was a Spanish colony, and people on the island advocated for political equality for women, beginning with a right to education. But it wasn't long after becoming a U.S. territory that Susan B. Anthony advocated for equal political and civil rights for men and women in the new possessions, including Puerto Rico. This advance in civil rights was one of the first reasons why people on the island began to fight for the conversion of Puerto Rico as a State of the Union. It was the leaders of the Republican party who first included women's vote as part of their platform, and they also presented legislation to achieve it. As the measure did not progress, our suffragists sought support from national organizations and the United States Congress, which introduced legislation extending women's right to vote in Puerto Rico. Finally, in 1929, Puerto Rico's Legislature recognized the right to vote, but only for literate women; and in 1935, the right to vote was granted to all women. These series of events led to the election of Maria Luisa Arcelay, who became the first woman in Puerto Rico to be elected to a government legislative body in 1932. However, because Puerto Rico is an incorporated territory of the United States, despite being U.S. citizens since 1917, Puerto Ricans cannot vote for the U.S. President, and they are also denied voting representation in this Congress. While this Congress is legislating to extend benefits to all women, I must raise my voice many times to advocate for these rights to be extended to territories like Puerto Rico that still lack, at a general level, full equality in relation to a State. Statehood for Puerto Rico will happen. The question is when this Congress will do it. The end of slavery, the end of segregation, and women's right to vote are just examples of civil rights that took a while to become the law of the land. Statehood for Puerto Rico will follow. We are still fighting for equal pay, for equal work, for being able to walk safely without fear of sexual harassment, for eradicating gender violence, for having more access to where decisions are made, for having more representation in different fields, such as science, arts, sports, business, and economics. As we rejoice and celebrate progress in equality for women, I ask my colleagues to be reminded that their job continues and much more remains to be done to achieve equality for all Americans. That also includes the veterans of Puerto Rico, veterans that lack access to TRICARE Prime options on the island. Instead, only Active Duty servicemembers and their family members have access to TRICARE Prime, specifically TRICARE Prime Overseas. This also affects the access by spouses and dependents to benefits as their family member serves our country. Current law dictates that military retirees under the age of 65 in Puerto Rico and the territories are eligible only for TRICARE Standard. That is the reason I filed H.R. 2171, which seeks to rectify this problem by making TRICARE Prime available to over 29,000 servicemembers in Puerto Rico, who have retired from the Armed Forces, and their dependents. According to the report by the Congressional Task Force on Economic Growth in Puerto Rico, not having access to TRICARE Prime is one way in which Puerto Rico is treated differently under several Federal programs. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2171.

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Madam Speaker, it is urgent to pass a Disaster Supplemental Bill. Citizens across our nation--from California to the Carolinas, from Florida to the Northern Marianas and Puerto Rico, are counting on us to pass a bill that address the urgent needs caused by natural disasters. The more that passage is delayed, the longer our communities will have to wait, because just passing the appropriation is the beginning of a drawn-out process. I know my constituents are waiting, for the 600 million dollars for the Nutritional Assistance Program that I have long been advocating, which will cover a gap in funding under the supplemental appropriations made in the immediate aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. As of last month, these residents who have not fully recovered are already seeing a decrease in benefits because we have yet to pass a disaster bill. They are also waiting, like those in many states and territories, for funds Congress already appropriated. For example, after 20 months later, of some 42.3 Billion allocated to Puerto Rico, less than half has been obligated, and only 12.6 has been outlayed. This funding is still being reviewed with great scrutiny by FEMA, by HUD, by the OMB Office of Regulatory Affairs. The funds that have been disbursed are being used to pay for work already done or have strict definitions as to what these funds can be used for. Conditions and requirements that slow the flow of funds has resulted in companies and nonprofits that did work and provided services are still waiting to get paid. So I welcome the language included in the Disaster Supplemental passed by the House, that provides a firm deadline for OMB to publish the Federal Register guidance for use of funds so things can start moving. I am also encouraged by the provision that extends the 100 percent federal cost share, which is essential for communities whose assets and sources of revenue were affected; and the language that FEMA ``shall'', rather than just ``may'', help rebuild to better standards. There provisions benefit all affected jurisdictions. One thing we must still address is the definition of ``critical services'' eligible for Stafford Act support, which today does not include important elements such as first responders, nonemergency major medical services, solid waste and stormwater management, and emergency supply transportation. That is why I presented H.R. 2242, which I proposed as an amendment to H.R. 2157 but was not made in order, to expand the definition of ``critical services'' for eligibility for FEMA disaster Public Assistance. By allowing these important elements as critical services, we can ensure that communities will not need to deal with such a burden after having their own resources destroyed or exhausted in the initial response. For example, not being able to get supplies out of the port to where they were needed, and loss of access to major medical services, worsened the impact on the population in Puerto Rico. My proposal would amend the Stafford Act to include emergency supply transportation, nonemergency medical, first response and security services, and solid waste and stormwater management among the critical services for which Section 428 may be applied. I urge that my proposal receive the needed consideration. Madam Speaker, it is up to Congress to continue the support for the recovery of all communities affected by these disasters. Let us do that.

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Mr. Speaker, I think it is urgent for Congress to approve the disaster supplemental bill. Although I welcome the House version, I am still waiting on the Senate side to work a final solution. The more that passage is delayed, the longer our communities will wait because just passing the appropriation is the beginning of a drawn-out process. I know my constituents are still waiting for the $600 million for the Nutritional Assistance Program that I have long been advocating. That will cover the gap in funding under the supplemental appropriations we made immediately after Hurricanes Irma and Maria. As of last month, those residents who have not fully recovered are already seeing a decrease in benefits because we have not yet passed the disaster bill. For example, 20 months later, of some $42 billion allocated to Puerto Rico, just $12 billion has been outlaid. That means that we have work to do, and this funding is still being reviewed with great scrutiny from FEMA, HUD, and OMB. That is the reason I do believe we should move across aisles to make this happen.

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Madam Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Madam Chair, I rise today to speak on behalf of my bipartisan amendment, Amendment No. 15. This bill will provide for a target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 26 to 28 percent below its 2005 level by 2025. While I share some of my colleagues' concerns about the effectiveness of these targets and the underlying bill, I strongly believe that it is vital that Congress and the Federal Government pay particular attention to the needs of 3.5 million American citizens living in all five U.S. territories whenever it is considering and crafting policies that tackle climate risk. My amendment will help us achieve just that. Specifically, it directs the General Accounting Office to study and submit a report to Congress on the impact of the President's plan on the U.S. territories, including the potential positive and negative implications on our economies. In conducting this analysis, the General Accounting Office will have to consider our unique energy needs and systems and the climate risk vulnerabilities faced by communities across our islands. U.S. territories are at the forefront of climate risks. Given our geographic location, we are particularly vulnerable to extreme weather events. Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, for example, completely devastated Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Typhoon Yutu did the same last year in the Northern Mariana Islands. We are also vulnerable to rising sea levels and coastal erosion. In fact, it is estimated that approximately 60 percent of Puerto Rico's beaches show some sign of erosion, negatively impacting critical infrastructure, communities, properties, and the economies and livelihoods of coastal communities across our island. Unlike our fellow Americans in the 48 contiguous States, we are not interconnected with a national or larger power grid. Instead, we have isolated systems with limited access to cost-effective fuel sources, heavily rely on foreign petroleum imports, and face among the highest electricity rates in the Nation. My amendment will allow the study of whether the President's plan has any impact on addressing and tackling these issues, in terms of providing us important information to ensure we are enacting the most effective policies to help territories become more resilient. It also allows us to study whether the President's plan is a net positive for territories and ensures it does not further raise energy costs, which will be detrimental to economic growth and development. We need to have a comprehensive understanding of how any climate policy impacts the U.S. territories and incorporates our unique energy needs and realities. Madam Chair, this bipartisan amendment--and I thank Congresswoman Plaskett and Congresswoman Radewagen, as well as Congressman San Nicolas of Guam, for being original cosponsors of this amendment-- offers a sensible and simple way to achieve this. That is the reason why I thank all of them for sponsoring this amendment, and I urge my colleagues to join us in supporting this amendment for the U.S. territories. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Madam Chair, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Shimkus).

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Madam Chair, how much time do I have remaining?

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Madam Speaker, as the Co-Chair of the bipartisan Congressional Friends of Spain Caucus, I'd like to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the first circumnavigation of the globe. On April 26, 2019, the Spanish tall ship Juan Sebastian de Elcano will arrive in Boston, Massachusetts after stops in the U.S. ports including in my district of San Juan, Puerto Rico, as it continues its voyage to commemorate Commissioned in 1928, Elcano is a training ship for the Spanish Royal Navy. This Quincentennial presents an opportunity to reflect on the beginnings of our current era of globalization. This first circumnavigation took place between 1519 and 1522 under the orders of Emperor Charles I of Spain. Started by the distinguished Portuguese captain, Ferdinand Magellan, this periplus was completed after his death mid-way through the trip by the Spaniard Juan Sebastian Elcano, the ship's name sake. The first circumnavigation is a milestone that transformed and connected the world. This sea voyage had profound and lasting scientific repercussions by proving that the earth was in fact not only round but spherical. It not only enhanced the total sum of human knowledge but also promoted transnational interconnectivity, thereby laying the foundation for today's world, defined by economic, political, and cultural globalization. The visit by Elcano to the United States as part of the commemoration of this transcendental event in the history of mankind, provides a great opportunity, not only to reflect on this feat, but for strengthening the already robust ties that bind Spain and the United States. Therefore, as we salute the arrival of the tall ship Juan Sebastian de Elcano, let's take a moment to commemorate the beginning of the current era of globalization, the legacy and great achievements of expeditionary trailblazers like Magellan and Elcano, and the longstanding relationship between the United States and Spain

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of the bipartisan amendment presented by my friends Stacey Plaskett and Amata Radewagen. As my friend just mentioned, the smaller territories are facing a challenge in the limited funds they receive to address such a large and horrific issue. Federal funds to fight violence against women and support survivors cannot be based on the ZIP Code or where you live. I do believe that any kind of violence must be addressed, regardless of the State or the territory the people are living in, giving the survivors the same access to services, intervention, and assistance. In the fiscal years 2017 and 2018, these four territories--we are talking about the Northern Marianas, Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and Guam--received less than $60,000 to aid victims of domestic violence; and, simply put, this was not enough. I am speaking also on behalf of my friend, Amata Radewagen, for American Samoa. And I do say that, as more women step out of the shadows to seek the assistance they need, it is our job in the Federal Government to be able to provide the tools and resources to the organizations and, more importantly, to the victims themselves. Congress must rework the formula grant to allow these four territories access to additional funds. I encourage all my colleagues to support this amendment, and I am supporting the amendment as well.

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Mr. Chair, I thank the ranking member for yielding. Today, I rise in support of the Nutrition Assistance Program, or NAP, that is included in the bill under consideration today. NAP is the sole source of nutrition assistance and food security for over 1.3 million American citizens on the island. After Hurricane Maria, the 115th Congress approved an additional $1.27 billion increase in Puerto Rico's NAP program in addition to the annual block grant amount of about $1.8 billion, and that means that we helped a lot of people who have a lot of necessities. This disaster relief allowed an increase in the benefits for the current beneficiaries as well as an increased enrollment to bring assistance to close to 153,000 new participants in the program. However, this additional assistance is currently set to be expended in March of this year, and the program's funding would then be lowered again to the base amounts associated with the block grants. That is why, in May of last year, I submitted an amendment to H.R. 2, also known as the farm bill, to increase the amount of funding allotted to Puerto Rico's NAP. Then, in December, we got a letter and a meeting asking for the $600 million in additional NAP funding. During the first day of Congress, we did the same thing to both the Committees of Appropriations and Rules with the same request. I thank the chairwoman of the committee for including that money in this bill. We had a meeting in December with the Governor of Puerto Rico and the minority leader and the chairwoman asking for this $600 million increase in Puerto Rico's NAP program, so we really need this money to be included and to be available until fiscal year 2020. This bill also contains an important provision for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands as well, extending the 100 percent Federal cost share for assistance under the Stafford Act for the disasters in the territories to rebuild to the current standards. That was included in the last provision last Congress. Having this extension is important in order to maximize the resources. This is critical since the losses caused by these disasters left our communities in no position to cover matching fund requirements, and, believe me, the hurricane was worse than this going down. So this bill, especially, will be important for my constituents. I am a little bit disappointed that the continuing resolution was attached to the bill. I do support the reopening of the government; however, this should be not the vehicle for it. This disaster supplemental was intended to help people to recover and rebuild from natural disasters. I really appreciate the good faith effort of all involved here to help those struck by natural disasters--not just in Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Florida, but the fires in California as well-- especially in Puerto Rico; however, it is my hope that this becomes a clean bill between the House and Senate that can be signed by the President.

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Madam Chair, I rise as the designee of the gentlewoman from American Samoa (Mrs. Radewagen), and I have an amendment at the desk.

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Madam Chair, today, I rise to offer an amendment to increase the nutritional assistance funding amount of the bill by $5 million so the bill can include American Samoa in the emergency appropriation due to the damage caused by Cyclone Gita in February of last year. The 100 mile-per-hour winds of Cyclone Gita wiped out an entire growing season for the American Samoan people, a rural community that largely depends on subsistence farming. Staple crops of bananas, breadfruit, and taro were lost wholesale, which led to an enormous drain on the islands' small nutritional assistance grant. These funds are vital to sustain the basic local population and help fulfill the basic nutritional assistance needs of the American Samoan population. By approving this amendment, approximately 6,000 people in the territory will benefit and will have greater access to food security. Madam Chair, I believe that including American Samoa in the disaster bill will do what the people need there. I ask for your support for this emergency provision to benefit the people of American Samoa, on behalf of Congresswoman Amata Radewagen. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Mr. Speaker, today I introduced the Child Tax Credit Equity for Puerto Rico Act of 2019. Under current law, in Puerto Rico, the child tax credit only applies to families who are raising three or more children. In comparison, families living in the mainland are able to use this credit for having even one or two children. Small families consisting of one or two children in Puerto Rico are excluded from receiving this necessary benefit. The purpose of the child tax credit is to be a tool to help families offset the expenses of raising children and raise themselves out of poverty. Mississippi has the highest poverty level of any State. Puerto Rico's poverty rate, now at 45 percent, is 178 percent higher than Mississippi. According to the Census Bureau, the lowest household income of Puerto Rico is $19,000 a year, compared to $43,000 in the State of Mississippi and $61,000, average, in the whole mainland. This proposal will help Puerto Rico's economy and benefit about 355,000 families and more than 404,000 children in Puerto Rico. I urge my colleagues to support and pass this bill, and I thank Congressmen Jose Serrano, Fitzpatrick, and Duffy for being original cosponsors of this bill.

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Mr. Speaker, healthcare infrastructure in Puerto Rico remains dangerously unstable. Unlike the mainland, most Medicare beneficiaries with part A and part B coverage receive their care through local Medicare Advantage plans. In 2011, Puerto Rico's per patient, per month was $595, and now it is $511. The national average was $787, and now it is $826. That is a negative impact of $315 for Puerto Rico. That means that, next year, the average Medicare Advantage rate for Puerto Rico is even 25 percent below the other territories and 43 percent below the national rates. This is the reason why physicians and medical providers are leaving the island. That is the reason we filed H.R. 6809, which will rectify this disparity with Medicare Advantage rates. That is the reason I ask my colleagues to support this bill

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to express my utter disappointment with the inclusion of extending the prohibition of cockfighting in the territories in the farm bill before us today. While there are a lot of provisions that will benefit the largest constituency of any House Member, for over 3 million American citizens living in Puerto Rico, the inclusion of this amendment will detract from the other high points of this bill. This bill will improve accessibility to grants and programs on the island, and for that, I am extremely grateful and confident that this will help my constituents. But, on the other hand, since 2002, the farm bill has included the very same wording about the Animal Welfare Act, and it will allow the States to manage and regulate this practice in the territories. For the case of Puerto Rico, we have been regulating the industry of cockfighting since 1933. This is an industry that represents more than $18 million in our economy and also more than 27,000 direct and indirect jobs on the island. So we are talking about how distressful the economic situation on the island is, but then we are approving another Federal regulation without even consulting the people of Puerto Rico or even the territories. In our case, we were not even allowed to vote for that amendment here on the floor, neither in the Senate. So territories will never have a word if we cannot vote, if we are not represented. But also, limiting this activity will also provide a lot of these industries to go underground, and that will hurt directly the economy of the island. For that reason, I invite any Member who wishes to come to Puerto Rico and see how regulated the cockfighting industry is to come and visit. I fear that the language that is adopted will turn some underground, and overburdensome laws and regulations on the island, as they always do--and we are going to see a black market pop up and encounter more harm than good, not just to the birds of those who participate, but also for the industry itself. For me, it is troubling that the territories were not given a proper chance to even debate this issue. We were not consulted in the drafting of this amendment or at any committee markup or as a congressional courtesy. I represent 3.2 million American citizens on the island, but I can't vote on the floor. I don't have any representation on the Senate side. But then we have another regulation coming to the island without even giving us an opportunity to debate it or an opportunity to actually vote against it. I think even the Constitution of the United States allows States to regulate and reserve those powers to the States. We can't even challenge or sue the Federal Government with this, because the constitutional amendment provided that the territories are just a possession of the U.S. Congress and Congress can do whatever they want with us. That will affect directly the industry of the island. We are talking about not just the rules of construction of venues, penalties for events, public behavior at cockfights, the rules that have been engaged since 1933. This is an industry, as I already said, that the government of Puerto Rico, House, Senate, and even the Governor are opposed to have this ban on cockfighting. I think this should be an issue reserved for the States as is happening right now in the current farm bill, and I hope we can have the opportunity to discuss this, any other opportunity, even having a hearing on this issue. My constituents are concerned with how this prohibition will hurt them and their families, and it is my responsibility to advocate for them the same as the territories of the United States. We are all against this provision.