Jenniffer González details the Island's priorities included in the draft federal budget for trade, justice and science

Press Release

Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González Colón announced that the Appropriations Committee of the federal House of Representatives gave way to the budget project for federal agencies related to commerce, justice and science. It includes proposals requested by the congresswoman for the benefit of Puerto Rico.

On March 4, the commissioner advocated before the Subcommittee on Trade, Justice and Science Appropriations, chaired by Congressman José E. Serrano, to advocate for the island's priorities.

Arecibo Observatory:

The Committee included language in which it reaffirms that it maintains the necessary funding for terrestrial observatories, including the Arecibo Observatory. The Commissioner deposed and advocated before the Committee for federal programs that contribute to its funding, such as the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Administration's Near-Earth Object Observation Program. National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA).

Ocean Economy and NOAA Programs:

As requested by the commissioner, the Committee included a guideline for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to take the necessary steps to include the territories of the United States in the Economics National Ocean Watch (ENOW) , a dataset developed by the agency to develop economic measures for ocean industries. The inclusion of the territories would allow calculating the commercial and economic activities in these ocean-dependent jurisdictions. To support this effort, the Committee recommends an allocation of $ 700,000.

Likewise, the Committee provides funds for NOAA programs that are important to Puerto Rico and that the Commissioner supported, including:

$ 34 million for NOAA's coral reef conservation program
$ 40.5 million for the Integrated Ocean Observation System (IOOS) for Regional Observations, which includes the American Caribbean Coastal Ocean Observation System (CARICOOS) in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

$ 71 million National Sea Grant College Program, which includes the Sea Grant College of Puerto Rico Program at the University of Puerto Rico
$ 28,250,000 for the National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS), which includes the Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. on the south coast of Puerto Rico

$ 78 million for Coastal Zone Management Grants, which provide annual grants to the Puerto Rico Coastal Zone Management Program administered by the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources.

Federal Statistics and Barriers to Trade:

The Committee also included language related to the inclusion of Puerto Rico in federal statistics. González Colón had expressed the importance of maintaining this type of initiative when he deposed before the Subcommittee on Trade, Justice and Science Appropriations on March 4.

For example, the Committee indicates that it expects to receive a report from the United States Census Bureau - as requested in the fiscal year 2020 budget agreement - outlining the process to include the population of Puerto Rico in the count of the entire population of the United States. Likewise, and according to the resident commissioner, she emphasized in her presentation, the Census had been asked for the estimation costs and a plan to include the Island in all the Census programs and statistics under which it is currently excluded.

The Committee also urged the United States Department of Commerce to continue its efforts to help the government of Puerto Rico modernize its economic statistics programs. This has been led by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), which has been working to calculate the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Puerto Rico.
Lastly, the Department of Commerce was required to submit a report detailing alternatives that would allow the calculation of Puerto Rico's Gross Domestic Product without having to use the Electronic Export Information (EEI) data for shipments between Puerto Rico and the rest of the United States. Likewise, it is requested a plan to eliminate the EEI, which the Committee considers imposes undue costs on companies trying to do business in Puerto Rico.

The Commissioner requested at the Committee's hearing on March 4 that language similar to this be maintained and that it allow evaluating alternatives to eliminate the ERA requirement, since it is a barrier to interstate commerce and, therefore, hinders efforts to grow the economy of the Island.

Other provisions:

The Committee expresses concern about the relatively low levels of small business exports, foreign investment and the contribution of tourism to the Gross Domestic Product in the territories. That is why it requests the International Trade Administration (ITA) to provide assistance to the territories on these issues, and submit a report detailing their efforts.

It also requires the United States Commission on Civil Rights to establish advisory commissions in the territories.

Security Initiatives:

"The Subcommittee on Trade, Justice and Science Appropriations is of vital importance for Puerto Rico, as it provides funds for programs that help us fight crime, improve economic statistics, promote scientific development and protect our marine resources, among other issues. . I am grateful for having once again had the work and support of Congressman Serrano, who as president of the subcommittee has always kept Puerto Rico among his priorities, "said the congresswoman.

In the project, the Committee included language expressing concern about the high incidence of homicides related to drug trafficking in Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands. That is why it requests the federal Secretary of Justice to give priority to security personnel and resources to address this situation.

It also requires you to examine the feasibility of including areas of both jurisdictions under DOJ initiatives to reduce violent crime, such as the National Public Safety Partnership in English), and that the Committee be informed of the Department's findings no later than 90 days after the enactment of this Act. This language was requested by the resident commissioner in her petitions before the Appropriations Committee.

The Committee included language requested by the resident commissioner urging the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to work with the law and order agencies of the territories to improve the availability, collection and publication of crime statistics in these jurisdictions.

Source