Jenniffer González-Colón

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the chairman for allowing me, even when I am opposed to one of the provisions, to speak about it. As you may know, this bill has a lot of good things and good provisions for all the States and for the territories as well, but there is one provision that we are not allowed to even discuss in a public hearing, and that is the prohibition, or ban, to cockfights in the territories. The current farm bill allowed territories to have and regulate that industry. In the case of Puerto Rico, that represents more than $18 million in revenues and taxes. We are on the brink of a lot of financial situations, and now this regulation will put another burden on the people of the island. So I am against that prohibition, mostly because the people of Puerto Rico have regulated the industry of cockfighting since 1933. So this is something that is not only affecting Puerto Rico, but the rest of the territories, as we have been facing this kind of industry and sport. We don't have the votes in the Senate. We can't vote on the floor of the House. So our people are not fiscally represented, and as well Congress is taking an action that would put another burden on our economy. Mr. Speaker, I reiterate my opposition, and the people of Puerto Rico, against that provision, but in favor of the rest of the bill.

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the honorable Delegate from Guam (Ms. Bordallo) for taking this initiative to present H.R. 6665, and Chairman Bishop and Ranking Member Grijalva for having moved this legislation to continue to extend equal treatment to the American community of citizens in the territories. It has been a privilege to join in on bipartisan proposals for applying, uniformly, the Federal laws for the benefit of the people of our territories. Equal treatment for all American communities is a goal that should be shared by all in this Congress, and we will continue to seek it. America's continued prosperity requires a modernized energy system that makes the best use of all the domestic resources available, including expanding use of wind in our domestic waters. Puerto Rico has directly experienced the need to have better energy infrastructure in place. Today, only 2 percent of our energy in Puerto Rico comes just from renewable sources. Our plans for long-term recovery of our electric grid include a much higher reliance on renewable energy to reduce environmental impact and increase efficiency. Since, today, many of the territories rely on expensive diesel- or fuel oil-generation systems, an integration of greater diversity of generating sources will provide them greater flexibility in their development plans. At the same time, however, this upgrade on our generation's sources should be conducted in each jurisdiction based on its technical, economic, and environmental viability and rely more on private investment participation instead of taxpayer funding. This legislation will direct the Department of the Interior to study what is the viability of Continental Shelf wind resources off the shore of the territories. If the result is positive, then the Department of the Interior will initiate the process of auctioning the leasing rights for such projects on the same basis as for the waters outside the States. If such development proceeds, 2.5 percent of the revenues collected will be reserved for coral reef protection and 37.5 percent for the respective territory for environmental remediation uses. This way is the better way to develop energy resources and provide, also, funding for the territories to take their own measures for securing better environmental conditions. I expect the House will support this effort to bring uniform treatment to all jurisdictions under the American flag in an important area of policy, which is energy, and open up investment and development opportunities to all of us. Once again, I want to thank my colleague from Guam (Ms. Bordallo) and the chairman of the committee for having this bill, and, of course, for their support and legacy on behalf of equal treatment for Puerto Rico and the territories.

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for allowing me to speak on behalf of this resolution. Mr. Speaker, I really believe this is important. Puerto Ricans feel very proud of the legacy of Roberto Clemente. He was not just a local hero, but a national hero, both in the arena and in his life. Actually, that is the reason, when Puerto Rico becomes a State, it will be the recommendation for one of his statues to be sent to the capital. He is a figure that united Puerto Rico. I rise today to express my strongest support for H. Res. 792, introduced by my good friend and colleague, Jose Serrano. This resolution will urge the Secretary of the Interior to recognize the significance of the place of death of Puerto Rican baseball star Roberto Clemente, located near Pinones in Loiza, Puerto Rico, by adding it to the National Register of Historic Places. Roberto Clemente, as I said, was a hero and role model in Puerto Rico and across the nation. Throughout his distinguished career, he won two Major League Baseball World Series Championships, was named Most Valuable Player, and was an All-Star for 12 seasons. Clemente also served this Nation as a United States Marine Corps Reservist. Roberto Clemente was committed to caring and helping those in need. In the aftermath of a devastating earthquake in 1972, he decided to travel to Nicaragua to provide humanitarian aid. His plane crashed shortly after departing Puerto Rico, and he tragically passed at the age of 38. That is the reason his family, still in Puerto Rico, started a foundation. Many schools have his name on it, but he also has the legacy of supporting young people to play baseball and commit to their communities and be better in society. Clemente was that role model. He was a great humanitarian and great athlete. He was the embodiment of a baseball legend who contributed to the betterment of society. I am glad that this House is honoring his legacy by considering H. Res. 792. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. I thank Congressman Serrano for allowing this recognition that unites hundreds of people not only in Puerto Rico, but for sports all over. I also thank Chairman Bishop for supporting this, although I was expecting him to have the numbers of his baseball career.

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the following Proclamation in recognition of the life and legacy of Mr. Jaime Benitez Rexach: Whereas, Mr. Jaime Benitez Rexach was Puerto Rico's leading scholar for nearly 70 years, becoming a major influence on Puerto Rican and American education as chancellor and then president of the University of Puerto Rico; Whereas, Mr. Jaime Benitez Rexach made it possible for the University of Puerto Rico to become a first-rate institution, serving communities across the island, and bringing talent from all over the world to teach and learn in Puerto Rico; Whereas, Mr. Jaime Benitez Rexach's role in shaping the curriculum at the University of Puerto Rico paved the way for his membership on the United States' National Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) from 1948 to 1954; Whereas, Mr. Jaime Benitez Rexach made a significant contribution to the development of Puerto Rico's local government and territorial constitution, by chairing the constitutional convention's commission that wrote the island's Bill of Rights; Whereas, Mr. Jaime Benitez Rexach served as Puerto Rico's 12th Resident Commissioner in Congress, representing and providing a voice for the territory's American citizens from 1973 to 1977; Whereas, as a Member of Congress, Mr. Jaime Benitez Rexach continued his longstanding commitment to improve the island's and the Nation's education system by serving on the House Committee on Education and Labor; Whereas, Mr. Jaime Benitez Rexach was an outstanding educator, patriot, and public servant, whose contributions continue to shape the fabric of American society; and Whereas, celebrating Mr. Jaime Benitez Rexach's legacy contributes to the strength and culture of our Nation; now, therefore, I, Congresswoman Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon, do hereby attest to the 115th Congress that Mr. Jaime Benitez Rexach is deserving of national and congressional recognition. Proclaimed, this 23rd day of October, 2018.

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Katko for leading this effort today. I want to thank the chairman of the committee and Ranking Member Thompson for supporting this bill. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on behalf of my bill, H.R. 5869, the Maritime Border Security Review Act. As we move to secure our borders, it is imperative that we confront the threats posed by criminal and drug trafficking organizations seeking to enter the Nation through our maritime frontier. Illicit trafficking through the transit zone, a 7-million-square-mile area, includes the sea corridors of the western Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, and the eastern Pacific Ocean. This is the transit zone. According to the Coast Guard, the total known flow of undocumented migrants attempting to enter the U.S. by maritime routes in 2017 was almost 4,800 individuals. The known cocaine flow throughout the transit zone reached about 2,700 metric tons in 2017. This bill also addresses the public safety challenges faced by Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the only two U.S. territories located geographically within the transit zone. The United States' Caribbean border has long been exploited as both a destination and a transshipment point for illicit drugs shipped to the mainland, endangering the lives of Americans in the two territories, but also in the continental U.S. About two-thirds of the cocaine transiting the Caribbean in early 2016 was destined for the U.S., most of it being smuggled through Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In 2017, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized about 66,000 pounds of narcotics in and around Puerto Rico from drug cartels and smugglers. And let me tell you something: The CBP, or the Customs and Border Patrol, is outside the mainland. So this is the only CBP office outside the mainland operating not just in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, but our frontier with Venezuela and the whole Caribbean. The year 2017 was a record high for drug smugglers over the previous year. Last year's devastating hurricane season disrupted interdiction efforts in the United States' maritime border. According to the 2019 Threat Assessment from the Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, the damage inflicted by the storms severely diminished the operational capabilities of local and Federal law enforcement on both islands. The U.S. Coast Guard recently testified before the U.S. Senate that responding in force to the hurricanes meant fewer resources for drug interdiction and border protection. They also admitted that, despite their best efforts, they have struggled to keep up with the volume of illicit traffic due to a shortage of planes, ships, helicopters, and resources, further highlighting the needs at our maritime border. H.R. 5869 would help us better understand these and other challenges the United States faces along its maritime border by requiring the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a detailed threat analysis of the region. These assessments must include the terrorism and criminal threats posed by those seeking to enter the U.S. throughout the maritime border; improvements needed at all U.S. seaports to reduce criminal activity; and all vulnerabilities in law that prevent effective border security, similar to those recently released in the Northern Border Threat Analysis of 2017 that were approved by the House of Representatives. The Secretary of Homeland Security must consider technology and personnel needs, the role of State and local enforcement in border security activities, the geographic challenges of the region, and the impact of last year's hurricanes on general border security activities. Protecting and ensuring the safety of the American people both on the mainland and in the territories is very important not just for me, but for all of us, and should be one of our priorities. An assessment of the threats posed at our Nation's maritime border will help us achieve just that. The reason behind this bill is to promote that kind of analysis. I want to thank Chairman McCaul, Ranking Member Thompson, and Congressmen Katko and Perry for their leadership in assisting and moving forward this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5869.

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Roe for, first of all, visiting the island. This is the first time ever the Committee on Veterans' Affairs ever visited Puerto Rico. I thank the gentleman for that, for his leadership, and for his commitment, and the ranking member's commitment, during the last months. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of my bill, H.R. 5938, the Veterans Serving Veterans Act of 2018. This bill seeks to alleviate chronic staffing shortages that currently affect the Department of Veterans Affairs, which hinders their ability to serve our veterans in an effective and timely manner. This issue never fails to come up during those meetings with veterans residing in Puerto Rico and is often discussed by my colleagues here in the House. H.R. 5938 seeks a remedial option to this issue by doing two things. First, amending section 208 of the VA Choice and Quality Employment Act of 2017 to include the military occupational specialties of soon- to-be discharged servicemembers that correspond to vacant positions at the VA in the recruiting database, as well as servicemembers' contact information and the date of discharge. Inclusion in the database is completely optional for those servicemembers. If included, they will potentially be matched for vacant positions at the VA that correspond with the skills they acquired with the Department of Defense. Second, the bill will also require the VA to implement a program to train and certify former Department of Defense healthcare technicians as intermediate care technicians, ICTs, to address the large demand for healthcare providers at the Veterans Health Administration. These very skilled technicians trained by the DOD have difficulty gaining employment in their field after separating from the Armed Forces due to the lack of a certification. At the same time, the VHA has a significant shortage of providers. The ICT program has a high satisfaction rate and helps fill this void. Servicemembers are a remarkable asset upon transitioning from the Department of Defense. We should do everything we can do to foster this transition and facilitate this opportunity to our men and women in uniform to serve our veterans. Mr. Speaker, I need to again thank Chairman Roe for his leadership. For me, it is an honor to serve on this committee with a gentleman who has this commitment and who works in a bipartisan manner with Ranking Member Walz and Congressman Takano. I thank the gentlemen for their support. It is an honor to improve so many bills like this with these amendments. Their leadership and assistance in moving this bill forward make us all proud, so I urge all my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill.

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Mr. Speaker, on June 27, I was joined by more than 40 Members of this House in introducing H.R. 6246, the Puerto Rico Admission Act of 2018. That number has since grown to almost 50 Members. This is truly a bipartisan bill that sets forth a transition process that will result in the formal admission of Puerto Rico as a State of the Union, on an equal footing and in true permanent union with the rest of the States. H.R. 6246 would constitute Congress' long overdue response to the citizens of Puerto Rico who, twice in the past 6 years, have overwhelmingly voted by 97 percent and 61 percent margins expressing their political will to join their fellow Americans as equal in our Union. After 120 years under the U.S. flag and 101 years as American citizens, Puerto Ricans remain disenfranchised and trapped in a second- class status that denied us the same rights and responsibilities as our fellow citizens in the States. Puerto Ricans do not enjoy a democratic form of government at the national level because we can't vote for the President and the Vice President of the United States. We don't have a voting representation here in this Congress that every day passes laws that affect us and affect our future. That lack of a democratic form of government at the local level is due to Congress passing PROMESA in 2016, severely limiting the powers of the duly-elected government of the island. This lack of full participation in the Federal Government that enacts the laws and the rules that Puerto Ricans live under, combined with the absolute power of the U.S. Congress under our Article IV, section 3, clause 2 of the Constitution to treat us equally under those laws has proven to be a fundamental limitation on the fulfillment of our potential as a people. The combination of these inequities, which were unmasked and further exacerbated by last year's historic hurricanes, has led to incoherent and arbitrary Federal policies that have limited the island's opportunities to maximize our full economic potential. I am certain that not even one of my stateside colleagues in this Congress would accept a territorial status like Puerto Rico's for their own constituents. It is my hope that all of them will recognize and respect that the people of Puerto Rico are no longer willing to accept it either. I also trust that my colleagues will credit Puerto Rico for aspiring to have the first-class citizenship and equality they have been denied for over a century, with the same rights and responsibilities as their fellow citizens in the States. My constituents might not have a vote in the government that makes their national laws, but they have a voice. They made that voice heard loud and clear not just once, but twice. Every Member who supports H.R. 6246 will send a clear message that he or she is standing up for a powerful principle: that the people of Puerto Rico are American citizens who have, in war and peace, made countless contributions and greatly enriched the life of this Nation for generations. More than 250,000 Puerto Ricans have served in our military forces and bravely fought in every conflict since the Great War, side by side with the citizens of other States, defending our democratic values all over the world. Yet, they are denied the right to vote for their Commander in Chief. A disproportionately large number of them have made the ultimate sacrifice in battle. When they do, their caskets are flown back to this country, draped in an American flag that contains just 50 stars, but none of those represent them and represent Puerto Rico. Furthermore, those who are fortunate to return to the island and join the ranks of the more than 100,000 veterans living on the island encounter a system that discriminates against them and treats them as second-class citizens. Furthermore, because of these longstanding inequities, in the last 10 years alone, more than 400,000 Puerto Ricans have relocated to the States in the search for equality. That is the equality we are looking for in this bill, a truly bipartisan bill that will let Puerto Rico become the 51st State of the Nation. I urge my colleagues to join me in this bill and acknowledge the situation in Puerto Rico and let us become first-class U.S. citizens.

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, this amendment calls on the Army Corps of Engineers to consider urgently and favorably those projects and proposals pending before them for flood control, dam repair, beach erosion, and harbor navigation in Puerto Rico, as well as for the repair and mitigation required in the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria and, more specifically, that the Secretary should advance the project for ecosystem restoration at Cano Martin Pena in San Juan. Between projects that had been proposed or planned before the disaster and those resulting from the disaster, the Army Corp of Engineers has before its consideration over 45 different projects or proposals for flood and erosion control for protection of life and property on the island. These projects are in all sorts of phases, from initial studies to planning, to pending construction start, to waiting for the next phase to be funded, and to inactive projects that may be reactivated. While we wait for decisions, we have towns like Toa Baja where, during the last hurricane in September, more than 12,000 families were flooded out of their homes. Every decade, that kind of town suffers losses from different kinds of floods while there is a project already designed and approved that could have greatly mitigated that kind of a hazard and by now would have cost less than the accumulated losses from the last hurricane. Those are the kinds of projects that are already approved by the Army Corps in that part of this amendment. In Ciales and Guayanilla, the mayors have gathered the studies and plans, but it has not yet been made part of the Corps schedule. Among the works that merit special attention is the Cano Martin Pena Project, which has been an example of community partnership and has been an important part of the Corps' program in Puerto Rico, for the ecosystem restoration, protection of lives in the community, and control of flooding in an area that extends from the San Juan business district to the international airport. The community has been an outstanding local partner, showing great drive to move forward their part of the program, but the project has been very slow because of the limited funding by phases. It is important at this point in time as we face a new hurricane season that our people get the sense of urgency from the Federal Government. When you know that the next storm is coming and danger is on the horizon, you will also want to know that the necessary work has been done. That is the reason this amendment is so important, and that is the reason I encourage all my colleagues to support this amendment. Madam Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Mr. Chairman, this amendment is among the reports that the Corps of Engineers should expedite completion of. It is for the navigation project for San Juan Harbor. This is another amendment for the release of a study that has been waiting for more than 12 years. These reports follow from a study authorized by a resolution of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on September 20, 2006. This is a project that has been approved and, according to the Corps, could enter the engineering and design phase within 1 or 2 years, once the reports and reviews are finally in. It will increase the main channel depth to 44 feet and make it 100 feet wider, along with other modifications, to allow a safer and more efficient movement of traffic in the Harbor of San Juan and increasing economic activity at a time when the Puerto Rico economy needs every boost it can get. As everybody knows, during the last hurricane, the movement of ships was one of the biggest problems. This would specifically be of importance in the case of a future emergency contingency. As we saw during the last year, one of the problems that arose was the congestion when needing to move those shipments. In the aftermath of hurricanes and flooding events, it becomes even more necessary, due to the incursion of debris and erosion from the surrounding bodies of water, which accelerate the natural deterioration of the harbor. This is a project that has been approved and programmed. The amendment, again, is so that the reports on the studies performed over the many years will finally be completed so that the next stage of engineer and design can proceed. This is an infrastructure that needs to be up and running for the creation of American jobs and to prevent future damage. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment. Remember, one of the main problems on the island is the energy situation. We are an island. So we are importing all of the coal and all of the oil. If we want to move to an LNG facility, we need to have a wider and a deeper port. This is one of those biggest efforts. If we got this kind of study, we can have those ports and have those ships coming from the States and have a better opportunity to improve our economy and have more goods and materials arriving to the island. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of the bloc of amendments, and amendment 41, for the Department of Defense to gather the data necessary to successfully extend the TRICARE Prime healthcare benefit to Puerto Rico to meet the needs of our retired military families on the same basis as in the mainland. More than 200,000 Puerto Ricans have served in all branches to date, and the VA has registered almost 100,000 veterans residing in Puerto Rico, yet they face disparity in benefits. TRICARE treats Puerto Rico as an overseas location, with fees and copays higher than what they would be for Prime. Dependents of retired veterans in Puerto Rico either get fewer benefits or pay more. Puerto Rican veterans have fought, bled, and died side by side with their comrades in arms from the whole Nation. The information required through this amendment will support the decision to finally do justice for our servicemembers and veterans. Mr. Chair, I support this amendment.

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Mr. Chairman, I thank the chairman for yielding. We would never have had this debate if we had had an opportunity to have a public hearing on the issue. So I oppose this amendment because this is more Federal regulation for the territories. Cockfighting is already a highly regulated industry in Puerto Rico. Originally regulated in 1933, then in 2007. We actually have offices regulating this issue that creates an $18 million industry on our island with 27,000 direct and indirect jobs. Already the farm bill permits that cockfighting will be prohibited in the States and interstate commerce, but can be legal if the State or the territory authorizes and regulates the event. That is the situation with the territories; we regulate the event. Actually, this proposed legislation will cause a highly regulated industry to go underground and go to the streets where there is no control at all. Our constituents were never heard on this issue, and we are looking for that opportunity. I do believe that we are not having the opportunity to be treated equally. That is the reason I oppose this amendment, and we should have at least a public hearing on this issue.

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of my amendment to H.R. 2. Mr. Chairman, this amendment aims to take a deeper look into the Thrifty Food Plan and how it influences the amount of funds currently calculated for Nutrition Assistance Block Grants provided to Puerto Rico through the Nutrition Assistance Program, NAP. Puerto Rico is currently included in the Thrifty Food Plan of the 48 contiguous States. However, the island imports most food items that are sold in stores, which increases the cost families pay when purchasing foods included in their diet. Mr. Chairman, my amendment will require the Secretary of Agriculture to produce a report on the feasibility and impact of Puerto Rico having its own Thrifty Food Plan. This will allow the government of Puerto Rico and the Department of Family, which administers the program on the island, to make an educated decision on how to move forward in terms of acquiring benefits and addressing factors that reflect increases in the cost of food items found and purchased on the island. My second amendment will request the Secretary of Agriculture to produce an update on a 2010 report previously generated by the Food and Nutrition Service Agency at the USDA. That report will indicate the percentage of households that will receive nutritional assistance and what the average monthly benefit per household would be if Puerto Rico were treated equally under the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, SNAP. As approved by the 2014 farm bill, Puerto Rico's cash portion of benefits obtained through NAP will gradually be reduced by 5 percent each year until 2021--right now, that measure is waived by this administration because of the hurricane--when all NAP benefits will be then available through the electronic benefit transfer system. In view of this and in preparation for this, we must start considering if a transition to SNAP is feasible or not and, if so, what it would mean for my constituency in terms of benefits and requirements. An updated study will allow us to have recent data to properly consider making this decision along with the government of Puerto Rico and the Federal Government. Mr. Chairman, my amendments essentially seek better facts and better data on the nutritional benefits my constituents receive and depend on. For many families on the island, this is the main source of nutritional assistance. As Puerto Rico's sole Representative here in Congress, it is my responsibility to make sure that we have the tools and information we need at hand to collaborate with State officials and make those decisions that will continue to help families on the island maintain proper access to a quality diet and, therefore, a proper quality of life. Mr. Chairman, decisions that are this important and delicate should not be subjected to guesswork but based on updated facts, and my two amendments will do that. Mr. Chairman, I also want to share that these amendments, as drafted, do not increase mandatory spending. And, last, I would like to urge my colleagues to support these two amendments, and I want to thank the chairman of the Agriculture Committee for helping me out in drafting my amendments and helping the people of Puerto Rico. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment to H.R. 2 at the desk.

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

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Mr. Chairman, I spoke about the two amendments before, so I am going to be brief now in speaking about this amendment, not without thanking Chairman Conaway for helping us out to get this amendment through. Amendment No. 15 will just request an update on the survey in the request of data for the island. This second amendment requests the Secretary of Agriculture to produce an update on the 2010 report previously generated by the Food and Nutrition Service Agency at the USDA. That report will indicate the percentage of households that will receive nutritional assistance and what the average monthly benefit to their household will be if Puerto Rico were treated equally under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, SNAP. We don't receive that. As approved in the 2014 farm bill, Puerto Rico's cash portion of the benefit obtained through the NAP program will gradually be reduced by 5 percent each year through 2021. Of course, that situation, that 5 percent reduction has been waived since last year by the administration because of the hurricane situation, but all NAP benefits would then be available through the electronic benefit transfer system, the EBT. In view and in preparation for this, we are beginning to consider the transition to SNAP, if it is feasible or not, and I do think it is feasible. So we are looking forward to having a report that will allow us to know what kind of benefits my constituents will be receiving. An updated study will allow us to have recent data to properly consider making this decision, along with the Government of Puerto Rico. My amendment will essentially seek better facts and better data on the nutritional benefits my constituents, the people of Puerto Rico, receive and depend on. For many families on the island, as you may know, this is the main source of nutritional assistance. I am the only representative of the people of Puerto Rico here and in the Senate, and it is my responsibility to make sure we receive that kind of data. The last time was in 2010. We are in 2018 without an update of that report. So we look forward to having the tools and information we need at hand to collaborate with State officials and the Federal Government to enable those families to continue to receive those kinds of services and the island to maintain a proper access to a quality diet and, therefore, a proper quality of life. Those decisions need to be made by updated facts and not subjected to guesswork by some officials. I do believe that this amendment, as drafted, does not increase mandatory spending, so it will require just data. That is what we need. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Mr. Speaker, today I ask that Federal support for Puerto Rico power restoration must continue until full completion. We still have 20,000 homes without service on the island. Last weekend, Representative LaMalfa and I were visiting one of the towns in Yabucoa. People are still without power on the island, and this Friday, May 18, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and FEMA are going to be leaving the island. That is the reason that the current electrical restoration mission through FEMA and the Army Corps of Engineers must continue, and the contracts under it, without that expiration date. That is the reason the alarming situation we are still living, just 16 days away from the next hurricane season, must be stopped. I request FEMA and the Army Corps of Engineers to extend the mission so crews can remain on the job full-time until all areas are restored. This is an urgent situation on the island, and I request that FEMA and the Army Corps of Engineers deal with it.

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize Hogar CREA of Puerto Rico on its 50 years of service to our community, helping people who struggle with substance abuse reclaim their place in society. Hogar CREA was founded on May 20, 1968, in Puerto Rico by Juan Jose Garcia. The nonprofit organization has over 55 houses and 12 projects, in addition to 32 service proposals that serve more than 2,000 residents daily. Prevention and counseling services were established for communities, schools, municipalities, civic and religious entities, among others. Moreover, in 1976, Hogar CREA began establishing international homes; and today, it provides service in more than 10 countries throughout Latin America and in several States of the Union. Hogar CREA's historic mission has been to serve the helpless and to be an instrument to mitigate the suffering of those who live under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Let's recognize Hogar CREA on their 50 years of service.

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Mr. Speaker, last Wednesday, the Puerto Rico Air National Guard tragically lost nine of its finest near Savannah, Georgia. The people of Puerto Rico, especially the close-knit family of our Air Guard, share the terrible pain and join in prayer for the families of Major Jose Roman Rosado, Major Carlos Perez Serra, First Lieutenant David Albandoz, Senior Master Sergeant Jan Paravisini, Master Sergeant Jean Audriffred, Master Sergeant Mario Brana, Master Sergeant Victor Colon, Master Sergeant Eric Circuns, and Senior Airman Roberto Espada, all fallen in the line of duty. Like all members of the Puerto Rico Air National Guard, they are an example of the best in the long tradition of Puerto Ricans in the U.S. Armed Forces. They risked and gave their lives like many others before them, serving the Nation and a community that is shattered by their loss. We are proud of their service. As we mourn our heroes, let's commit ourselves to honor their sacrifice by giving their comrades in arms the adequate resources and support to do so. God grant our fellow warriors rest, and may His eternal light shine upon them.

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico

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

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 4 and, of course, the amendment that I am supporting and sponsoring today. I want to thank Chairman Shuster for providing me the opportunity to speak on behalf of this simple yet very important amendment that Congressman Don Young has joined me in sponsoring. A lack of reliable data on which Congress can make informed decisions is a recurring problem for Puerto Rico. The bipartisan Congressional Task Force on Economic Growth in Puerto Rico, established by PROMESA, unanimously recognized this problem, back in 2016, and made numerous recommendations that were designed to include Puerto Rico in Federal statistical programs. My amendment to H.R. 4 is consistent with the Task Force's recommendations to remove regulatory burdens inhibiting commerce between Puerto Rico, the U.S. mainland, and international markets. Puerto Rico needs to reactivate and diversify its economic base in order to emerge not just from the current disaster situation, but to have stable, long-term economic growth. My amendment simply seeks to evaluate Puerto Rico's potential as an air cargo hub and to obtain recommendations as to how to best achieve that potential. It does not change the current statutory regime over air cargo operations on the island. It simply seeks to provide the hard data required to make a sound decision about it. It provides for evaluating the competitive situation in the Caribbean region, not just relative to Puerto Rico, but to other foreign and continental U.S. airport hubs serving it so that it also serves to provide a better picture for the overall future competitive environment in the region. Puerto Rico has the necessary infrastructure in three international- capable airports with ample space and ports. The island also has a privileged geographic location that gives it high potential as a cargo hub between the Caribbean and northern South America, Europe, and Africa, as well as being at the southeasternmost corner of the U.S. domestic air transportation network. The Puerto Rico Manufacturers Association, the largest business and employer organization on the island, supports this amendment and the potential development of the island as an air cargo hub. The island's pharmaceutical manufacturers would also benefit from Puerto Rico becoming an air cargo hub. Mr. Chairman, it is the private sector and private investments that will play the leading role in rebuilding our island's economy. This is now, more than ever, critical as we continue to recover in the aftermath of the hurricanes. The island of Puerto Rico's jobs are American jobs, and we look for new opportunities to grow our economy. This amendment will provide the data to evaluate what would be the capacity for developing this kind of business activity and what its potential impact would be on the local and national economy. I want to thank Chairmen Shuster and LoBiondo for their support and guidance, and I urge that this amendment be adopted as part of this reauthorization bill. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Mr. Chairman, this bill will provide data that is important for the due recognition in terms of the capabilities of the island for the near future, and I hope this bill will pass and give Puerto Rico the opportunities we need to fulfill the opportunities in the region and the States. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize and honor the life of Baltasar Corrada del Rio, Puerto Rico's 13th Resident Commissioner in Congress who passed away this Sunday at 82 years old. Mr. Corrada del Rio was born and raised in Puerto Rico and was a founding member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. He served in this body from 1977 to 1985. He also served as mayor of San Juan, secretary of State, and associate justice for the Puerto Rico Supreme Court. Baltasar Corrada del Rio was a true statesman. His career exemplifies the qualities we all seek in our public servants: dedication, honesty, and love of our country. His life will be remembered for his unwavering support for American citizens of Puerto Rico and our quest for equality. Mr. Speaker, I pledge to continue Baltasar Corrada del Rio's work during my time in Congress and ask the House to join me in expressing condolences to his family and our profound gratitude for his years of service to Puerto Rico and in this Congress.

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico

Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for allowing me to support this rule that will have, finally, this bill to be considered on this floor. I think it is important to acknowledge that still, 5 months after the storm, after Hurricane Maria and Hurricane Irma hit Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, 30 percent of Puerto Ricans are still without power. That is something that you will never expect in a U.S. territory or neither a State. So that is one of the biggest reasons I stood here, at 3:30 in the morning. Why? Because it is time to show our deeds in terms of supporting a bill that will have the money to restore the power grid in Puerto Rico, to help the island to recover from the last hurricanes. Also, we were facing a medical cliff in April of this year--a medical cliff that will put an end to the insurance to 680,000 patients in the island. That is the reason this bill is so important for Puerto Rico. Actually, we have been waiting for 2 months. This bill has been stalled in the Senate, and I actually am very happy to see that agreement between Republicans and Democrats in the Senate voted 71-28 to have this bill here tonight. Mr. Speaker, I need to say that today Congress will make a critical vote in terms of that we finally have a budget deal, and this is the time to vote, not for ideologies, but for the people, for American citizens all over the States. For the States and territories that were struck by disaster during the last year, this bill will provide billions of dollars, including improvement to Puerto Rico's electrical power network. It also takes the steps to secure the island's Medicaid program and ensure that our people do not lose their health coverage. For the past year, I have been fighting to ensure Puerto Rico receives the money necessary to avoid that medical cliff now in April. This funding will give Puerto Rico and Congress the time to craft a long-term solution, not just for Puerto Rico, but for all U.S. territories, and help out the medical problems that we all face. I want to thank, especially, the Speaker of the House, Speaker Ryan, the members of this leadership who have been supporting me all of the way; the chairmen, Chairman Walden, Chairman Burgess, Chairman Sessions, Chairman Frelinghuysen; and all members of this House leadership who have been working with me, visiting the island, even Members from the other side of the aisle, supporting Puerto Rico. You know what? That is the hard work that we need to do for our people. On the Senate side, I need to thank our special friend and advocate, Senator Marco Rubio, who has been supporting this issue since day one. I also want to thank all Members of both Chambers willing to save Puerto Rico from near collapse and to help their fellow citizens in the island. I urge my Democratic colleagues, if we want to help Puerto Rico, now is the time to do it. It is not just talking, it is time to act. It is time to vote for this kind of bill. We can't be hostage of another bill, and I do support having an immigration bill happen. This is a disaster bill that has been included. It has been included in this budget, and we must take action today. That is the reason; this is the time to show it, not by words, by acts. That is the reason I ask my colleagues to vote for this, not say just we want to help Puerto Rico. This is the time to show you really want to help Puerto Rico; you really want to help the island. I understand that, as the Senate did a few minutes ago, we can come together and support what we are willing to do. In Puerto Rico, there are still a lot of things that need to be done. There are so many needs to be met. But let's continue to work together, as the Senate did today; and I hope, and I expect, the House can do the same thing.