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A Resident Commissioner in Congress from the Territory of Puerto Rico.

Let me be clear. There is nothing that this other bill, or this other legislation, will offer Puerto Rico that has not been already discussed in 123 years. It is nothing new.

Your support for H.R. 1522 and S. 780 will reaffirm the most sacred principles upon which our system of government was founded and will strengthen our democracy.

It is time for Congress to begin the admission process that Puerto Rico's voters clearly favor.

I therefore ask that you respond to the will of the United States citizens of Puerto Rico with legislation that will initiate the admission of Puerto Rico as a state.

Let us be clear, Puerto Rico held fair and clean elections on November 3, 2020, where the latest political status plebiscite took place.

I would love your office to work with us in terms of looking ways to extend that waiver that we do have for 2 years to make it permanent.

I do support it. We voted for that in November of last year.

Make the funding available for the territories. This is a priority for millions of Americans who depend on it for our healthcare.

Total Federal funding for the territorial Medicaid programs has been inadequate to meet the healthcare expenditures for patients to receive effective diagnosis, treatment, and care.

I am a strong proponent of liquefied natural gas, which provides cheap, clean, and reliable energy.

It makes sense not to place all of our eggs in one basket, and alternate sources of energy play their part.

I am hopeful today's hearing will help us reach bipartisan solutions as we move forward.

I have some concerns about the one-size-fits-all approach this bill takes in places.

We are literally sinking due to volcanic activity and seismic shifting.

While having resources available to the U.S. insular areas is most welcome, I fear this bill does little to study existing programs and functions that could support some of the goals intended in this legislation.

I fear that adding Puerto Rico to the definition of insular areas under Title 48 could have unintended consequences of an overhaul of how Federal grant programs work on the island.

I would also like to commend, in part, the intent behind the draft legislation we have before us today.