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

The following press release was published by the House Committee on Natural Resources on June 24, 2015. It is reproduced in full below.

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 24, 2015 - 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

Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico

President of New Progressive Party (PNP)

Washington, D.C.

Attorney General of Puerto Rico

Testifying on behalf of Governor Alejandro García Padilla

San Juan, PR

Former Senator in the Puerto Rican Senate

President of the Puerto Rico Independence Party (PIP)

San Juan, PR

Panel II