Méndez anticipated to resume as House speaker
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Apparent governor-elect Jenniffer González Colón convened with lawmakers from the New Progressive Party (NPP) on Thursday to disclose the official who will head the legislative assembly in January.
“We have appointed a new president-elect of the Puerto Rican Senate in Senator Thomas Rivera Schatz,” González Colón announced at a press briefing.
This marks Rivera Schatz’s third term as Senate president.
Former House Speaker Carlos “Johnny” Méndez Nuñez was reportedly in line at press time to reclaim the speaker’s role.
As for the Senate, Sen. Carmelo Ríos Santiago of Bayamón will serve as one vice president alongside a yet-to-be-elected female senator. The caucus appointed Sen. Gregorio Matías Rosario as majority leader.
Rivera Schatz mentioned he will announce the committee heads at a later date.
“The citizens of Puerto Rico are familiar with the legislation we are going to propose because they voted for the government agenda that the NPP put forth,” the experienced senator remarked.
González Colón explained that the choice to appoint another vice president later is due to some seats pending to be filled as early ballot votes are still being counted. She noted that “all” women are being considered for the vice president position alongside Ríos Santiago.
Alongside Matías Rosario as majority leader, San Juan Sen. Juan Oscar Morales will function as alternate spokesperson in the new Senate, González Colón stated.
Ríos Santiago pointed out that during the last time the NPP held a majority in the Senate, it set records for the highest number of measures passed in the first 60 days.
Matías Rosario asserted that the new Legislature “will create laws for everyone because this Legislature comprises individuals from all sectors of our island.”
Morales, who will act as the alternate spokesperson, mentioned that the new Senate is poised to “make a significant impact starting within the first 100 days.”
“The appointments will not sit untouched as they did during this previous four-year term,” he remarked. “They will be addressed promptly.”
Rivera Schatz indicated that the ethical balance of appointees to the Supreme Court and the Office of the Women’s Advocate will be taken into account.
Elected Sen. Roxanna Soto Aguilú expressed her intention not to support Rivera Schatz’s presidency in the Senate due to her own aspirations for the position.
“The governor and the incoming Senate president have indicated that the president has already been determined. The answer was no if the inquiry was about changing my stance,” she stated. “The new president was aware, as were my fellow colleagues. But democracy prevailed.”
