Subcommittee Reviews Relationship Between Puerto Rico’s Economic Crisis and Political Status

US House Committee on Natural Resources 
Press Release
June 24, 2015
WASHINGTON, D.C

[Watch archived video of yesterday's hearing HERE. -Admin]

Today, the Subcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs heard  from witnesses representing all of Puerto Rico’s political parties during a  hearing to review the relationship between the current economic crisis  gripping the island and the unresolved issue of political status.  “Changes to Puerto Rico’s political status will ultimately be made by its  citizens, but this Committee has an obligation to monitor developments,  especially given the significant economic challenges facing the island.  I want to thank all of today's witnesses for taking the time to offer  their views, and Subcommittee Chairman Young for his continued  work on these important matters,” stated Full Committee Chairman  Rob Bishop (R-UT).  “Today we continue the discussion on the issue of Puerto Rico’s political  status, an important discussion given the current economic crisis the  island finds itself in," Subcommittee Chairman Don Young (R-AK)  stated during the hearing. “A discussion of political status for the  island always sparks lively debate from within Puerto Rico and among  my colleagues here in Congress and on the Committee.  I anticipate  the same here today, and I welcome it; such spirited debate is healthy.” The full witness list and testimony can be found here and below. Panel I The Honorable Pedro R. Pierluisi Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico President of New Progressive Party (PNP) Washington, D.C. The Honorable César A. Miranda Rodríguez Attorney General of Puerto Rico Testifying on behalf of Governor Alejandro García Padilla San Juan, PR The Honorable Rubén Berríos Former Senator in the Puerto Rican Senate President of the Puerto Rico Independence Party (PIP) San Juan, PR Panel II The Honorable Luis G. Fortuño Former Governor of Puerto Rico, 2009-2011 (PNP) Washington, D.C. The Honorable Carlos Romero Barceló Former Governor of Puerto Rico, 1977-1985 (PNP) San Juan, PR The Honorable Aníbal Acevedo Vilá Former Governor of Puerto Rico, 2005-2009 (PPD) San Juan, PR The Honorable Carmen Yulín Cruz Soto Mayor of San Juan, 2013-Present (PPD) San Juan, PR Ms. Miriam J. Ramirez MD Former Puerto Rico State Senator, 2001-2004 (PNP) Founder, Puerto Ricans in Civic Action Orlando, FL

Contact: Committee Press Office 202-226-9019

Puerto Rico News Digest For June 19, 2015

FBI ARRESTS FOUR FOR CHIILD PORN

As reported today by El Nuevo Dia, FBI agents in Puerto Rico are serving
four arrest warrants in different parts of the island this morning, all related
to the production and distribution of child pornography. The arrests, which
are being carried out in conjunction with the Puerto Rico Police, are taking
place in the cities of Aguadilla, San Juan, Quebradillas and Carolina. Once
the suspects are detained, they wil be taken to Federal Court in San Juan.

POLICE: PUERTO RICO HOMICIDES DOWN

From The San Juan Daily Star:

At a period almost halfway through the calendar year, the Police Department
of Puerto Rico has reported 249 murders for the year to date, less than half
compared to the same time four years ago. This would  indicate that while
homicide is being checked, as Police note, the island rate is still considerably
higher than any mainland city or state, while still trailing many Caribbean
and Central American cities in deadliness quotient.And while Puerto Rico
has a rate of 30.1 murders per 100,000 people, officials estimate that about
60 percent of homicides on the island are linked to drug trafficking. The to-
tal number of killings between June 13, 2011 and June 13, 2015 decreased
by 261, according to a written communication from the Police Department
released this week.

PR EX-PRIEST GETS 11 YEARS FOR SEX ABUSE

From San Diego Union-Tribune:

A former Roman Catholic priest was sentenced Thursday to 11 years in pri-
son for taking a teenage boy on a cruise ship vacation with the intent to en-
gage in illegal sexual conduct. The U.S. Attorney's Office on the U.S. Cari-
bbean island announced the sentencing of expelled priest Israel Berrios, who
had pleaded guilty in August 2014. Prosecutors accused Berrios of giving the
15-year-old boy money, a computer and a camera and taking him on a four-
day cruise to the Bahamas with his mother's permission in July 2008.

DON YOUNG RAISES FUNDS BEFORE PR HEARINGS

From Politico:

Alaska Republican Don Young is holding a fundraiser in Puerto Rico Friday,
just days before he chairs a controversial hearing on the territory’s political
and economic status. The close proximity of the hearing and the fundraising
event has sparked ethical concerns among some of Young’s colleagues on a
Natural Resources subcommittee, but committee Chairman Rob Bishop (R-
Utah) told POLITICO that Young is free to set his own schedule. Young’s
fundraiser at a San Juan restaurant is hosted by Igualdad Futuro Seguro, a
pro-statehood political action committee.

PREPA GETS ANOTHER EXTENSION

From Caribbean Business:

The Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (Prepa) and its creditors entered
Thursday into yet another forbearance agreement extension, until June 30,
while they continue to hammer out consensus on a restructuring plan for the
financially troubled utility that would keep it away from a potential default
and court-mandated receivership. Although prior negotiations to further ex-
tend the grace period have usually lasted until the last minute, CARIBBEAN
BUSINESS sources on Wall Street had said both sides were closing in on an
additional extension to the forbearance period until the end of the month.

WATER RESERVOIR LEVELS FOR THIS MORNING

From AcueductosPR.Com:

Levels for Carraizo and La Plata are down again, after recent rains failed to
raise water levels at either reservoir. Cidra is down as well. 48-hour rationing
continues for users in the Carraizo zones and 24-hour rationing is in effect for
users in the La Plata zones.