Bill Pascrell: “I thank Chairwoman Lowey and Ranking Member Granger. I support this supplemental. It is very necessary. The destruction…”

“I thank Chairwoman Lowey and Ranking Member Granger. I support this supplemental. It is very necessary. The destruction in Puerto Rico from Hurricane Maria and the terrible earthquake last month, with its ongoing aftershocks, make this relief more necessary than ever. I am thankful that legislation I proposed, H.R. 3307, to provide a Federal supplement to the earned income tax credit in Puerto Rico and the other U.S. territories, was included in the bill. Unlike Americans in every other State, working Puerto Rican taxpayers are excluded from the Federal EITC to supplement their incomes. This is a deeply unfair restriction. It has tied the commonwealth's hands at the worst possible time as islanders are recovering from disaster and facing high unemployment and dreadful levels of poverty. The EITC has repeatedly proven a critical tool to alleviating poverty, improving health outcomes, and encouraging labor participation. Why shouldn't our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico--and they are our fellow Americans--be able to earn the same benefit? With this Federal support, we can provide a very powerful tool for Puerto Ricans to get back on their feet and get a leg up. They deserve that help. Madam Chair, I ask that we support this legislation.”