Puerto Rico's Hurricane Recovery Slowed by "Subordinate" Position as U.S. Territory

A new report on Puerto Rico’s recovery a year after Hurricane Maria says that “it is obvious that Puerto Rico’s subordinate, some would say colonial, political status has been an obstacle to the recovery process.”

The report, authored by Sergio M. Marxuach of the Center for a New Economy, identifies specific aspects of Puerto Rico’s status that have contributed to the slow progress toward repair and recovery across the island.

First, Congress is legally allowed to do what it likes with Puerto Rico. There are no requirements to treat Puerto Rico as States are treated, to follow the rules and regulations developed for States, or to provide equal funding in Puerto Rico as in the States. Because of this, Marxuach suggests, “some federal officials, due to indifference, ignorance, or perhaps outright bigotry, may not have acted with the diligence required.” Many Americans were not aware before Hurricane Maria that people born in Puerto Rico are U.S. citizens, and much early social media discussion and news coverage implied that U.S. disaster relief for Puerto Rico was an act of charity. It is possible that the federal response to Puerto Rico was in fact unequal to the response to Texas and Florida.

Second, Puerto Rico has no voting members in Congress. Jenniffer Gonzalez, the single representative of Puerto Rico in the House, was very proactive about disaster relief and the needs of Puerto Rico. That is not the same as having two senators and a handful of voting Members of Congress in your corner.The Governor of Puerto Rico stayed in close communication with President Trump, but the president was often distracted by interactions with the Mayor of San Juan, a situation that has not occurred with States.

Read more: https://www.puertoricoreport.com/puerto-ricos-hurricane-recovery-slowed-by-subordinate-position-as-u-s-territory/#.W9ViuNVKjRY