As a statehood supporter, I aspire for American citizens in Puerto Rico to have the same rights and responsibilities as American citizens in every state.

Puerto Rico cannot restructure its debt without permission from the United States.

I think that what we are doing now is putting a Band-Aid on a major issue.

If our ship is to weather this storm, Congress must enact legislation that authorizes Puerto Rico to restructure a meaningful portion of its debt in a fair and orderly manner.

The people of Puerto Rico did not invade the United States. The United States invaded the people of Puerto Rico.

What is Treasury doing to encourage creditors to provide necessary short-term financing, or necessary forbearance, so that Puerto Rico does not go there?

status is vitally important when looking at the situation, the fiscal and economic crisis that Puerto Rico is facing.

I vouch for the fact that Chairman Bishop has been working closely with me, and I look forward to continuing to work closely with Chairman Bishop so we come up with adequate bipartisan legislation to deal with this crisis.

Only in war time is it treated equally.

the Commonwealth status has not afforded it equitable treatment in those three areas.

The bill cannot fix every disparity Puerto Rico faces, because only statehood can do that.

We cannot keep increasing taxes down there. That would be toxic for the business sector.

It is no longer reasonable to question whether such a mechanism is needed at all.

At the minimum, the U.S. Congress has to tell Puerto Rico what is available on the table for a change in status.

There is actual fear of the future. The payments which are coming due--$400 million on May 1, $2 billion on July 1--no one knows where the money will come from to fund those payments.

Puerto Rico and its creditors are on the same ship. We are going to sail safely to shore together, or we are going to sink together.

But we cannot ignore the fact that the status issue has to be resolved, and resolved once and for all.

If Puerto Rico officials act in a disciplined way, the board will be dissolved within a short period of time.