Even with the acceptance of the conditions that the White House imposed on the Government of Puerto Rico to disburse more federal aid funds destined to the recovery of the Island by the earthquakes in the southern area, the Administration of President Donald Trump refuses to approve a new allocation of funds that was presented in the federal Chamber.
“Puerto Rico has a long history of inadequate financial controls over regular government operations, which caused Congress to appoint a fiscal control board in 2016. Multiple cases of corruption have spoiled the distribution of aid sent and led to continuous political instability. ” Reads a document from the Office of Management and Budget of the White House.
“This measure would add $4.7 billion over all billions already sent to Puerto Rico and its restrictive provisions would prevent the Administration from ensuring that these funds are well used. Additionally, the creation of an excess of $15 billion in new federal subsidies through a The tax code would add billions of dollars to the deficit and undermine efforts to put the territory on the path to sustained economic development and fiscal self-sufficiency, “the letter also adds.
The Charter also accuses the authors of the bill to push for a vote without first waiting for the inspection of the Federal Emergency Management Authority (FEMA) that would determine the level of damage caused by earthquakes
“If H.R. 5687 was presented to the President in its current form, his advisors would recommend that he veto it.
The Federal Chamber project proposes that Puerto Rico be awarded a total of $ 4.670 billion in aid and also promotes tax subsidies that are expected to have an impact of hundreds of millions of dollars for the island.
The measure was presented by Democratic representative Steny Hoyer with the support of federal lawmaker Nydia Velázquez.
President Donald Trump’s administration has been critical of the Puerto Rican government, constantly denouncing him as “corrupt” and blocking aid until countless controls are met to “ensure the proper use of federal funds.”
As recent as last Sunday, Trump appointed Peter J. Brown, an advisor very close to him, as the federal coordinator of the aid that would be disbursed for the island.
