Biden budget includes provisions impacting Puerto Rico

In the administration’s FY25 budget proposal unveiled on Monday, President Biden urged lawmakers to grant Puerto Rico and other territories full access to Medicaid funds and to “move towards parity” in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs, El Nuevo Dia reports.  Biden’s prior budget proposal had been silent on the issue of parity, although such a commitment was included in his previous two budgets. This comes as the potential transition to SNAP has been the subject of increased discussion in Washington. In recent weeks, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack expressed doubts about whether Puerto Rico could transition from the Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP) to SNAP. Senate Democrats have called for legislation to help promote the transition over five years. Under NAP, Puerto Rico is set to receive around $2.9 billion during the fiscal year. By comparison, if Puerto Rico had access to SNAP benefits, the Island would receive about $4.5 billion annually, if work requirements were imposed on people between ages 18 to 54 years old. In his budget, Biden also called for improvements in the U.S. Census Bureau’s collection and analysis of data on the Puerto Rican population and economy.

Vice President announces plans to travel to Puerto Rico

Vice President Kamala Harris will visit Puerto Rico later this month, her office announced. Harris will travel to the Island on March 22 to monitor the recovery process and highlight several Biden Administration accomplishments, such as the CHIPS and Science Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Together, these initiatives have resulted in the allocation of billions of dollars to Puerto Rico. This marks Harris’ first visit to Puerto Rico since taking office; she last visited in 2017 when she was a U.S. Senator. President Biden last visited the Island in October 2022, in the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona. During that visit, Biden announced proposals to accelerate the reconstruction of the power grid.

 PREPA hearings enter second week

A key hearing over the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority’s plan to repay its $9 billion debt enters its second week in the courtroom of Judge Laura Taylor Swain. It is the longest bankruptcy in the history of the U.S. municipal markets. This week, economists and engineers are expected to testify on the plan’s effects on households, businesses, and the Island’s economy. Additionally, lawyers for environmental groups are scheduled to question Glenn George, an expert hired by the Financial Oversight and Management Board. Representatives of the PREPA Retirement System, the Union of Electrical Industry and Irrigation Workers, and the Institute for Competitiveness and Economic Sustainability are also among those scheduled to present arguments.