Pedro Pierluisi

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 appropriate money for these programs.

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.

As my colleagues are aware, the heavily indebted U.S. territory of Puerto Rico is ensnared in a severe economic crisis. My constituents are not responsible for this crisis, but they are its primary victims. I know they would prefer to…

For Puerto Rico to prosper, it must be treated equally, and to be treated equally, it must become a state.

We should honor our obligations to the extent we can, and we should have Chapter 9 available.

We should be treated equally. It has an impact on our fiscal health, and it definitely has an impact on our economy.

the number we have is roughly $150 million for full application of the child tax credit program

You cannot treat the people of Puerto Rico like second-class citizens and then profess to be surprised when we do not have a first-class economy.

The Federal Government should now speak with equal force about the need to correct its immoral and illogical policy toward Puerto Rico.

I join the Treasury Department, the National Economic Council, and HHS in urging Congress to enact a legislative package for Puerto Rico.

Yes. And since the Senator raises the issue, or it has been raised, the issue of audits, let me say that Congress has the authority, this committee has jurisdiction to require GAO to do annual audits of the Puerto Rico government and…

the best estimates that my office has obtained for the EITC, full application of EITC in Puerto Rico is roughly $500 million

While I am open to Federal oversight, I oppose Federal control. If Puerto Rico is better governed at the local level and receives fair treatment at the Federal level, we can overcome our challenges.

Puerto Rico's status is not an abstract or theoretical problem. It is a moral, social, and political wrong with the crushing practical consequences for the American citizens I represent.

No Senator would accept territory status for their constituents, and I do not accept it for mine.

I look forward to the day when Federal policy towards Puerto Rico is consistent and coherent.

My hope and expectation is that Puerto Rico will soon become a full and equal member of the American family.

Tax reform should seek to foster economic opportunities in the American territories to the same degree and extent that it seeks to promote those opportunities in the states.

I look forward to the day when Puerto Rico is not excluded from the SSI program.

Jobs in the U.S. territories are American jobs.

I look forward to the day when Puerto Rico is not treated in shockingly immoral fashion under Federal health programs.

This is not a partisan critique; both Republicans and Democrats, acting over the course of many years, are to blame.