[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 10 (Tuesday, January 24, 2012)]
[House]
[Page H130]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   INCLUDE PUERTO RICO IN SSI PROGRAM

  (Mr. PIERLUISI asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PIERLUISI. Mr. Speaker, today I introduced legislation that would 
extend the SSI program to Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin 
Islands, and Guam.
  SSI provides cash assistance to blind, disabled, or elderly 
individuals who have limited or no income. Although SSI applies in the 
States, it does not apply in Puerto Rico, which instead receives a 
block grant to assist its most vulnerable residents.
  Of all the disparities that Puerto Rico faces because of its 
territory status, this is perhaps the most harmful. Puerto Rico's 
annual grant is about $35 million. By contrast, the Nation's poorest 
State, with almost 1 million fewer residents, received over $740 
million in SSI funding in 2010.
  While in the States beneficiaries receive about $500 each month, 
Puerto Rico residents receive only $70. Residents of Puerto Rico are 
American citizens, but when it comes to SSI, their citizenship is 
second class.
  I hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will support this 
bill.

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