[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 16 (Tuesday, January 27, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H532]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   PUERTO RICO AND TERRITORIES DESERVE TO BENEFIT FULLY FROM ONGOING 
                     EFFORTS TO REVITALIZE ECONOMY

  (Mr. PIERLUISI asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. PIERLUISI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1. As 
the Congressional Budget Office has just confirmed, the bill will have 
a very positive impact on our Nation's economy.
  I am particularly grateful for the inclusion of Puerto Rico and the 
other U.S. territories in most of the bill's provisions. The 
territories are an integral part of the United States and thus deserve 
to benefit fully from our ongoing efforts to revitalize the economy.
  As the final version of this bill is worked out, I will continue to 
seek more equitable treatment for the U.S. citizens of Puerto Rico in 
those few areas where I believe improvements should still be made.
  For example, I will continue to make the case that Puerto Rico should 
receive an increase in Medicaid funding that better reflects the 
island's legitimate needs and does more to address the negative impact 
that the current spending cap is having on the Commonwealth's finances.

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