the people of Puerto Rico--what I heard in my visit there, from anywhere from the people that served us to the people that were working outside, is a level of distrust for government as a whole, including the government that I am a part of.

There is no doubt that statehood would have strengthened Puerto Rico's economy in the same way it has done for all fifty states.

We have been consistent in our opposition to PROMESA and the actions taken so far by the Financial Oversight and Management Board (FOMB).

Had Congress acted on the results of those plebiscites, Puerto Rico would today be in the process of completing the transition to become a full-fledged member of the Union.

Residents there still have not received the assistance necessary from the Federal Government to rebuild their community.

Puerto Rico, now more than ever needs certainty and clarity, and the way to start is by changing the current Board members.

the people of Puerto Rico are American citizens, and have been so for more than 100 years.

I think that we are not dealing with an issue of culture. We are dealing with American citizens that have not had access and equity in terms of how they are treated and how they are respected.

This is why it is necessary to amend PROMESA.

Currently, the Oversight Board is not accountable to anyone--not even Congress--yet it has the final say in the decisions affecting our government.

And the best way to do it is to assure them that they will not continue to be victimized as we go forward with looking at PROMESA, re-establishing the importance of the essential services, and highlighting those going forward.