Pedro Pierluisi

I have no further requests for time, so I will yield back the balance of my time.

I strongly oppose the provision in this legislation that would single out the Medicaid programs in the U.S. territories for a 65 percent cut, even though the territories are already treated in a profoundly unequal manner under this…

Along with my colleagues--Mr. Grimm, a former FBI agent; Mr. Pascrell, the cochair of the Law Enforcement Caucus; and Mr. King, the chairman of the Homeland Security Committee-- I'm offering this bipartisan amendment to increase funding…

I want to thank you for your service. You have one of the most challenging jobs in our government, and you perform it with great skill, so thank you.

the FBI and all Federal law enforcement agencies need to do far more to deal with this problem.

I respectfully urge extension of two tax provisions that expired in 2011 and that are of great importance to Puerto Rico's economy.

I respectfully submit that there is ample justification to extend this provision for an additional period of years or better yet to make it permanent.

The territories are treated unequally under many Federal programs, and the cover over program helps to compensate for this fact.

In order to reduce drug-related violence in Puerto Rico and the USVI, and to make the territories a less attractive transshipment point for drug trafficking organizations seeking to supply the U.S. market, Puerto Rico Governor Luis…

Puerto Rico has nearly the same number of annual murders that Texas does, even though Texas is home to 25 million people.

I have worked hard to raise awareness in the Federal Government about drug-related violence in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Therefore, I respectfully ask the committee to work with me to ensure that total funding for the National Guard Counterdrug Support Program is increased, and in particular to ensure that Puerto Rico receives its fair share of whatever…

Today I'm introducing the Puerto Rico SNAP Restoration Act. In 1971, Congress enacted legislation to partially include Puerto Rico in what is today called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, and what was then called the…

Over 110 people have died in immigration custody since 2003. Too many others have been subject to rape, abuse, or medical neglect.

That assertion does not even pass the laugh test. But nobody should find it amusing.

I must respectfully say that I find the premise of today's hearing to be misguided and, frankly, appalling.

If we do that, violence will come down. I guarantee it.

I would like to submit also that there is a very, very important role that government plays when you are talking about the safety.

We need to do everything we can to seal Puerto Rico on the way in, as well as on the way out.

This is a domestic responsibility. You're not talking about a foreign country.

Somewhere in there, Puerto Rico lost priority in the Federal realm.

I am also asking the subcommittee to provide an additional $3 million above the President's request to enable the Coral Reef Conservation Program to continue its support for competitive applied research necessary to protect our coral reefs.

It is my firm belief that these agencies require additional direction and resources from Congress to spur them into action.

I was attorney general of Puerto Rico at the time, and I lobbied hard for this law.

I believe that the most solemn duty of our government, whether it be Federal, state or local, is to safeguard its citizens.