Pedro Pierluisi

Puerto Rico and its creditors are on the same ship. We are going to sail safely to shore together, or we are going to sink together.

The people of Puerto Rico did not invade the United States. The United States invaded the people of Puerto Rico.

If our ship is to weather this storm, Congress must enact legislation that authorizes Puerto Rico to restructure a meaningful portion of its debt in a fair and orderly manner.

status is vitally important when looking at the situation, the fiscal and economic crisis that Puerto Rico is facing.

What is Treasury doing to encourage creditors to provide necessary short-term financing, or necessary forbearance, so that Puerto Rico does not go there?

the Commonwealth status has not afforded it equitable treatment in those three areas.

Only in war time is it treated equally.

At this juncture, I am convinced that Puerto Rico cannot either cut its way out of this crisis or tax its way out of this crisis. The only way out for Puerto Rico is to grow out of this crisis.

We need to make sure that Puerto Rico has the necessary access to the markets to comply with its payment obligations in the markets.

Federal policy toward Puerto Rico is a national disgrace, contradicting the claim that the United States desires democracy and dignity for all of its citizens.

I vouch for the fact that Chairman Bishop has been working closely with me, and I look forward to continuing to work closely with Chairman Bishop so we come up with adequate bipartisan legislation to deal with this crisis.

The passengers on this ship are not only the 3.5 million U.S. citizens that reside in Puerto Rico. They are also individuals and institutions located in Puerto Rico and the states that own bonds issued by the territory and its…

As a statehood supporter, I aspire for American citizens in Puerto Rico to have the same rights and responsibilities as American citizens in every state.

We cannot keep increasing taxes down there. That would be toxic for the business sector.

A control board that would use austerity to help hedge funds lock in those profits, no matter the human cost, is not the answer.

I think that what we are doing now is putting a Band-Aid on a major issue.

Puerto Rico cannot restructure its debt without permission from the United States.

Congress will hold its eighth hearing on Puerto Rico later this month. At the direction of Speaker Ryan, the Natural Resources Committee will then lead an effort to craft legislation for the territory. The record will demonstrate that…

The one power neither the authority nor Puerto Rico should have, in our view, is access to Chapter 9.

We are either going to pass a good bill or no bill at all.

Equality is the best policy.

I believe that we should put the blame game aside. I believe that we should do all we can to transcend partisan politics.

the Congress of the United States has to assume responsibility over Puerto Rico because we have, as is stated here, plenary powers over the people of Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico should have been treated equally a long time ago.

The opportunity to recover from this crisis, with strong leadership and assistance from the Federal Government, is the end solution we here on this committee are aiming to provide.