Subcommittee On Insular Affairs Will Give Voice To Territories

It is of great significance to the territories, commonwealths and free associated states of our country that the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs has been reinstituted after a 10 year absence.  It will give the delegates and resident commissioner a fresh opportunity to have our issues discussed in the comprehensive manner that was typical of its historic role.  Being chair is important because it enhances my ability to serve my constituents in the U.S. Virgin Islands and the other territories. My priority is making sure that we and our issues are heard and are not overlooked when legislation and policies are being developed.

Since delegates don’t have a full vote on the floor, anything that enables us to better assist our colleagues in achieving their objectives in turn helps us achieve our goals and objectives on behalf of our constituents.  The residents of the territories, commonwealths and free associated states look to the Chair of the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs for leadership on the many areas that affect their lives, most notably, those pertaining to political status and self determination.

While the Subcommittee’s agenda has not been officially formulated because we are newly organized, I expect that many of the same issues, such as the overall economic health and fiscal management of all the territories, the constitution for the U.S. Virgin Islands, the political status of Puerto Rico, and Guam’s World War II claims will take precedence as they did in the last Congress.