PRINTER'S NO. 2608
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
610
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY CRUZ, YOUNGBLOOD, SCHLOSSBERG, DAVIDSON,
CALTAGIRONE, BOYLE, BULLOCK, COHEN AND ACOSTA,
DECEMBER 4, 2015
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, DECEMBER 4, 2015
A RESOLUTION
Urging the Congress of the United States to take action with
respect to the current economic and fiscal crisis of the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and to authorize the residents of
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to conduct a referendum for
political self-determination.
WHEREAS, The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico became a United
States territory in 1898; and
WHEREAS, Every resident of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
gained United States citizenship through the Jones-Shafroth Act,
enacted on March 2, 1917; and
WHEREAS, Having attained status as the third largest issuer
of municipal bonds in the United States, the Commonwealth of
Puerto Rico is currently facing a serious economic and fiscal
crisis; and
WHEREAS, A substantial decade-long decrease in the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico's economy, employment and population
coupled with an increase in spending has significantly
contributed to the current crisis; and
WHEREAS, Inconsistent and inequitable treatment of the
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Commonwealth of Puerto Rico with respect to implementation of
Federal laws, policies and programs has been another factor
leading to the crisis; and
WHEREAS, It is in the national interest of the United States
for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the United States
Federal Government to act swiftly to address the current
economic and fiscal crisis; and
WHEREAS, The government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
has begun implementing significant measures to address this
crisis while also working to ensure that its public corporations
continue to provide vital public services; and
WHEREAS, These measures are not enough without reforming the
disparate Federal laws, policies and programs to confer the same
benefits and protections in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico as
are conferred elsewhere in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Needed reforms include ending discriminatory
practices in the application of benefits to residents of the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico under Medicare, Medicaid, the
Affordable Care Act and Supplemental Security Income; and
WHEREAS, Most importantly, Chapter 9 of the United States
Bankruptcy Code must be amended to afford the Commonwealth of
Puerto Rico's municipalities and government-owned corporations
the same option to restructure their debts as is afforded in all
50 states; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania urge the Congress of the United
States to take swift action to aid the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico with respect to its current economic and fiscal crisis; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the
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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania urge the Congress of the United
States to authorize a referendum for political self-
determination in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to
the President and Vice President of the United States, to the
presiding officers of each house of Congress and to each member
of Congress from Pennsylvania.
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