On the recordDecember 17, 2015
I am happy to join my colleagues in this statement on the floor relative to the situation in Puerto Rico. I commend Senator Cantwell as well as Senator Blumenthal, who is a lead cosponsor of the bill that I am cosponsoring, as well as Senator Nelson of Florida, who has a special interest with so many Puerto Ricans in his State, and, of course, Senator Menendez of New Jersey with the same interest. I share it. It is a feeling that is based on some friendships with Members of Congress of Puerto Rican descent, particularly my friend and colleague from Illinois, Luis Gutierrez, but many others, such as Nydia Velazquez and Jose Serrano of New York. I have served with all of them, and I understand the deep personal feelings they have about the situation. The financial crisis facing Puerto Rico and its 3.5 million residents who are U.S. citizens demands that we not walk away but address this in an honest way. Congress is working to complete its legislative business, and it is deeply troubling that at this point we are preparing to leave town without resolving Puerto Rico's urgent situation. The challenges facing Puerto Rico are very serious. The island has been mired in an economic recession for more than a decade. Their unemployment rate is nearly 12 percent and the poverty rate is almost 45 percent. Tens of thousands of Puerto Ricans are leaving the island each year and, as Senator Blumenthal said, 2.5 percent of the population left just this last year.…
