Pedro Pierluisi

I came here to make the Puerto Rican people whole so that they could have a future.

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

Puerto Rico is a colony of the United States. There is no way around it.

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

The budgeting system of the government of Puerto Rico...needs to be reformed drastically.

Equality is the best policy.

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

The concept of having a board that would assist Puerto Rico in getting its fiscal house in order... makes sense.

Puerto Rico is facing a very serious, unprecedented liquidity crisis.

This is not charity or a bailout; this is about fundamental justice.

We would urge that this authority be appointed by the President, confirmed by the Senate, and it must be acceptable to Puerto Rico.

PREPA must undertake a smart and serious capital improvement program to modernize its generation, transmission and distribution system.

This legislative package should also provide Puerto Rico with more equitable treatment under key Federal spending programs like Medicaid and Medicare.

With strong leadership and smart planning, Puerto Rico can do a much better job harnessing the power of the sun, the wind, and the water.

I persuaded the Federal Government to take administrative steps to increase Puerto Rico's LIHEAP funding from $4 million to $50 million a year; but state-like treatment could translate into $24 million a year.

I introduced legislation to authorize modern tankers built outside the United States but otherwise compliant with the Jones Act to fill this gap.

Congress should empower them, not reprimand them.

I believe that Speaker Ryan and his fellow Republican leaders recognize that I am a pragmatic legislator that is open to principled compromise.

It is absolutely clear that there must be a larger role for the private sector in developing Puerto Rico's energy system.

The burden is on the government of Puerto Rico to make the case that this agreement is in the best interests of the American citizens of Puerto Rico.

PREPA must diversify its fuel supply, reducing reliance on petroleum and boosting use of natural gas and renewable energy.

there is ample consensus in Puerto Rico, believe it or not, that we need more private capital in the energy sector.

Congress should appropriate money for these programs.

Congress should treat Puerto Rico equally under LIHEAP, which helps households pay their electric bills.

The crisis in Puerto Rico is the joint responsibility of the Puerto Rico government, whose policies and practices have often been irresponsible, and the Federal Government, whose policies toward Puerto Rico have clearly been inequitable.