Political Quotes

“I oppose invoking cloture on this measure because the House version of this bill is flawed, and the Senate should have the opportunity to improve it. Puerto Rico is drowning in more than $70 billion of debt, equal to nearly 70 percent of the island's GDP. This is a serious situation deeply affecting the 3.5 million Americans who call the island home. And let us be clear: these Americans need their country's help. But the current PROMESA Act is not the answer, and here are two reasons why. First, one of the provisions in the bill would set up a seven-member oversight board to oversee Puerto Rico's fiscal plan and annual budgets. This board would consist of four Republicans and three Democrats and the Governor of Puerto Rico would serve as a nonvoting member. This is not a fair solution. Representation must be fair, and the way this board is currently proposed, it is one-sided. We need to fix that. Second, this legislation could reduce the minimum wage in Puerto Rico from $7.25 an hour to $4.25 an hour for workers 25 years old and under. How can young workers needing to gain economic independence in a suffering economy begin their careers on solid footing making only $4.25 an hour? In addition, this would reduce consumer spending, hurting an already weak economy. We should be lifting all workers--from California to Puerto Rico--up, not letting them fall further and further behind.…”