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The president of the House of Representatives, Rafael “Tatito” Hernández, sent a letter to the President of the United States, Joe Biden, in which it requires the Federal Ministry of Justice Drop the case that prevents more than 350,000 Puerto Ricans living on the island from participating in the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program.
Currently, the case is at the level of Supreme Court of the United States after the federal government contested a decision by the Boston First Circuit of Appeals. “The time has come for the Joseph Biden government to use actions to demonstrate its opposition in government policy towards Puerto Ricans. This action does not require a lobby in the House, does not require a lobby in the Senate, does not require an inordinate transfer of resources “, he pointed
A copy of the letter was also sent to the nominee United States Attorney General, Judge Merrick Garland.
Midway through last year, a Federal First Circuit of Appeals panel ruled that it was unconstitutional to exclude residents of Puerto Rico from SSI that provides benefits to low-income people aged 65 or older, blind or disabled. However, the determination was challenged by the Donald Trump administration.
The claim was filed by Puerto Rican José Luis Vaello, in 2018, after he was banned from the program after moving to the island from New York City. “This touches the hearts of the neediest,” said Hernández.
In its most recent defense, the federal government argued that it can refuse SSI in areas – such as Puerto Rico – that did not “voluntarily” enter the United States through “negotiations.” Hernández described this argument as discriminatory and racist, “which really shows the dark soul of the Republicans divided by Donald Trump.”
“That is not Joseph Biden’s position and it is not the position he put forward in his platform,” said Hernández, distinguishing Trump’s vision from that of the president-to-be.
The ideal fact that it is an academic case is for the Supreme Court to receive a notice from the attorney general letting him know that they are withdrawing from the controversy and automatically enforcing Boston’s decision. That’s what we’re asking, if not it’s complex”, Confirmed the chairman of the chamber.
In addition to letters to the Biden administration, Hernández said that last week – while traveling to Washington to participate in the incoming president’s inauguration – he met with members of Congress as well as unions and religious and commercial entities. of these with subsidiaries in Puerto Rico, to start an offensive.
“We call on all socio-economic sectors in the country to be involved in this effort and to file a complaint with the Biden-Harris government”He said, recalling that funding for this program is through an allocation of resources through the Ministry of Finance.
Hernández questioned the leadership of the resident commissioner in Washington, Jenniffer González, which, he argued, despite being a “court friend” in the federal case, did not denounce the Trump administration’s arguments. She had to raise her voice, she had to take the argument and destroy it and be furious like a Puerto Rican. One has to be consistent … “, The Popular Democratic Party (PPD) legislature affirmed.
At the press conference, Hernández also highlighted as a priority issue the country’s recovery after Hurricanes Irma and María in 2017 and the earthquakes that hit the south of the country a year ago.
Hernández argued that the latest Trump administration imposed a series of regulations on the federal housing department and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that require adjustment to facilitate access to funds allocated to the island for recovery. “These regulations have conditions that the layers access to bureaucracy, ”he said.
He said this particular issue will be addressed by lawmakers Angel Fourquet, Kebin Maldonado, Luis Ortiz Lugo, Aníbal Díaz Collazo and Estrella Martínez, who will provide additional details on Wednesday about what those regulations are and what steps they will take to change them.
Another issue that he said urgently needs to be addressed is the approval of the tax plan.
He said he met last week Justin Peterson of the Fiscal Oversight Board (JSF). “We have big differences, but at least a communication process has started that made me discover that the vision of the board members and the operation is not necessarily in line with the execution of (the executive director of the board, Natalie) Jaresko,” said he. .
He announced that he will meet with members of the federal entity in his office in the Capitol tomorrow, Monday.
The camera leader stressed the need to manage Pedro Pierluisi adjust the tax plan so that it is aligned with the tax reality of the country, a claim filed through a legislative resolution.
Hernández announced that while there is no definite date, it is expected that this week and the President of the Senate, Jose Luis Dalmau, meet with the governor to discuss these and other matters.