Velazquez Criticizes Committee Approval of Puerto Rico Bill

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-N.Y.) expressed her strong objections to H.R. 900, the “Puerto Rico Democracy Act of 2007,” which was passed by the House Natural Resources Committee. Puerto Rico needed today a bill that reflected cooperation and compromise between stakeholders, but today’s bill failed to meet that simple goal.

“I have said time and time again that the Puerto Rico status question must be resolved in a fair, inclusive and transparent manner – the process which shaped this bill was none of these things,” said Congresswoman Velázquez. “My colleagues in the House leadership have also expressed the need for consensus and this bill does not represent that. I do, however, look forward to working with Members who wish to reach a compromise that provides for an unbiased, equitable and open process.”