Governor Bryan Applauds President Biden's Support For Parity In U.S. Territories

U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — President Biden voiced support this week for U.S. Territories to be treated equally with regard to federal programs. He said that the continued discrimination against residents of the territories is "inconsistent with my Administration’s policies and values" and he called on Congress to amend the existing laws.

Governor Albert Bryan Jr. responded on Wednesday, praising the Biden Administration's commitment to helping the U.S. Territories achieve equal treatment under all federal programs.

“I commend and thank President Biden for his acknowledgment that all the U.S. Territories are not treated at the same level as the states when it comes to federal assistance,” Governor Bryan said. “The President’s call for Congress to move legislation to achieve parity for the territories supports our long-standing lobbying efforts in Washington toward this same goal.

“Achieving parity in federal programs that are critical to the U.S. Virgin Islands is of paramount importance, and President Biden’s acknowledgment that there is an imbalance between the states and territories brings the promise of achieving that equality and is much welcomed,” the Governor said.

President Biden’s statement comes after a review that was ordered in September under President Trump of United States v. Vaello Madero, a 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decision that the denial of SSI benefits to residents of Puerto Rico is unconstitutional.

"As I’ve said before, there can be no second-class citizens in the United States of America. My administration will work with members of Congress to make these legislative fixes a reality,” President Biden said.

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