David Jolly: “Section 409 of this very important legislation creates a congressional task force on economic growth in Puerto Rico. The…”

“Section 409 of this very important legislation creates a congressional task force on economic growth in Puerto Rico. The intent of the task force is to study barriers to economic growth, report back to Congress on changes in Federal law that would spur long-term, sustainable economic growth, job creation, and also attract investment in Puerto Rico. However, in my opinion, the section could be improved by also studying the impact and recommended changes on child poverty on the island of Puerto Rico. Nearly 60 percent of children under 18 live below the poverty level in Puerto Rico, and roughly 80 percent live in high poverty areas. That is in comparison to only 11 percent who live in high poverty areas here in the continental United States. This very simple amendment would add to the requirements of the congressional task force that they report back on recommended changes to address and reduce child poverty in the territory. This amendment has been endorsed by an organization of roughly 600 national and local religious bodies, including the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the United Methodist Church, the Presbyterian Church U.S.A., Catholic Charities, the Union for Reform Judaism. Additionally, on Tuesday of this week, San Juan Archbishop Roberto Gonzalez Nieves called on Congress to specifically address child poverty in this bill. Much of the debate has centered around balancing the interests and needs of bondholders and lenders with those of pensioners.…”