Jenniffer González asks Joe Biden for assistance against COVID-19, parity in benefits and statehood for the island

Washington dc– Washington-based commissioner Jenniffer Gonzalez sent a letter to President Joe Biden this weekend outlining his list of priorities for the island, which include assistance against COVID-19, to encourage investment manufacturing and the proposed state.

In general, Gonzalez, who caucuses Republicans, has called on Biden, a Democrat, to work together to address the disparities facing Puerto Rico in accessing welfare programs.

Biden has announced that he will send to Congress a “rescue plan” – which will be around $ 1.9 trillion (trillion in English) – aimed at addressing the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus and addressing the health emergency.

In the face of this legislation, González has indicated to Biden that Puerto Rico “has the capacity, the manpower and the infrastructure to raise the pharmaceutical manufacturing production and of medical equipment to take care of this epidemic of the COVID-19”, González indicated.

The commissioner called on Biden to ensure that Puerto Rico – as in previous Democratic measures – is included in the section of legislation proposing $ 350 million to assist state and municipal governments fiscally.

Congress Republicans – including Sen. Rick Scott (Florida) – have criticized this section of the legislation, calling it a “financial bailout” by Democratic-controlled governments.

Gonzalez further supported Biden’s proposal to allocate nearly $ 900 million in food assistance to the island, stating that the Nutrition Assistance Program (PA) is one of the first that residents of Puerto Rico apply in times of emergencies.

Regarding Biden’s plan to raise the federal credit for dependent children (CTC) to between $ 3,000 and $ 3,600, González recalled that one of the issues that has been pending in Congress is to give the island full access to it. program.

Federal law only allows access for Puerto Rican residents who have three or more children to this program.

“Puerto Rico is the jurisdiction with the highest poverty rate, with 45% of the general population below the federal poverty level”, He pointed out.

In the letter, González also recalled the demands – which Biden supported as a presidential candidate – to find a permanent solution to the unequal treatment the island receives under the Medicaid program, which largely funds the health plan. of the Government of Puerto Rico.

In this regard, he warned that if new funds are not allocated to the island, Puerto Rico, which this year has allocated $ 2.8 billion in Medicaid funds, will have only about $ 400 million available on October 1, putting at risk the entire Puerto Rican health system.

Ask to attend “unfinished task”

Commissioner González included in her letter a call on Biden to address “the unfinished work” of Puerto Rico’s political future, following the Creole referendum on November 3 in which 52.5% of voters supported the statehood.

Biden, although on a personal level considers statehood to be the best alternative for Puerto Rico to have the same federal government representation and assistance, is committed to supporting a binding process involving representatives of all alternatives to the state. .

“On the same day of his election, the people of Puerto Rico affirmed by a clear majority their choice to value their American citizenship and seek the fulfillment of their rights and duties as an equal part of our great union of “On the day of the inauguration, members of our National Guard, who cannot vote for their Commander-in-Chief, defended the capital city. We hope that it will commit its administration to doing justice and tackling this unfinished task.” González stated.

Democratic and Republican leaders in the Senate have warned that there is no room to move forward with a proposed statehood in this legislative body, although a debate is expected this semester in the Natural Resources Committee of the federal lower house.