Hoyer Discusses the Need to Address the Debt Crisis in Puerto Rico

WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) discussed the need to take action to address the debt crisis in Puerto Rico during a colloquy on the House Floor today with Republican Whip Steve Scalise. A transcript of his remarks and a link to the video are below.

Click here to watch the video.

"I have had a long association with Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico, of course, is an integral part of the United States of America and its citizens are citizens of the United States of America. Like other jurisdictions who have from time to time, whether they be in California or New York or in the Midwest or the South or the North, have found themselves in deep fiscal trouble, Puerto Rico now finds itself in that position. I had the opportunity to talk a little earlier today with Chairman Rob Bishop about the hearings that are going on in the Natural Resources Committee this month with reference to Puerto Rico… I know that Speaker Ryan has indicated that we need to address this issue in an effective way, by March 31, which I very much appreciated his setting a goal on a time frame for that. Can the gentleman give me any additional information as to the status of consideration of [legislation related to] Puerto Rico, and extending its bankruptcy authority so that it might restructure its debt so that it doesn't undermine its school system, its public safety, its transportation, other needs of its people?”