The House Agriculture Committee's farm bill proposal fails to address the unfolding hunger crisis as the Republican megabill (H.R. 1)’s unprecedented #SNAP cuts go into effect. But the bill also falls short in other important ways. Let’s dig into some examples. 🧵
Notably, Puerto Rico doesn't have Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for low-income elderly and disabled people like those of us who live on the mainland, but instead has a much, much stingier program.
www.cbpp.org/research/aid...
Advocates have long said this is an equity issue. #PuertoRico needs and should have full and equitable access to federal programs. Learn more here: www.cbpp.org/research/fed...
Additionally, the maximum SNAP benefit level for a single-person household in Puerto Rico is $183 compared to $291 for citizens in the states.
Let’s take SNAP, for example: A single-person household in Puerto Rico needing food assistance must have a monthly net income under $691 to receive benefits, compared to $1,251 under SNAP in the states.
Puerto Rico faces significant economic challenges, including higher poverty rates and long-standing underinvestment. Residents contribute to the federal system, yet access to key federal programs like #SNAP and #Medicaid is often capped or restricted.
Puerto Rico, a territory with approximately 3.2 million American citizens, has limited representation in Congress, with no voting members in the House or Senate. This shapes decisions on taxes, budgets, and federal programs.
After Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance at #SuperBowlLX, everyone’s talking about #PuertoRico. But here’s what many might not know about how federal policy affects the territory 🧵👇
Stock price nosediving today by 16% for New Fortress Energy, which manages power generation in #PuertoRico, after the firm warned it may seek bankruptcy protection if other restructuring options fall through. The disclosure was made in NFE's latest 10-Q. www.marketscreener.com/news/new-for...
S&P today downgraded New Fortress Energy, which manages key power generation in #PuertoRico, to selective default after the company missed a Nov. 17 interest payment and entered a forbearance deal on its 2029 secured notes. www.spglobal.com/ratings/en/r...
New Fortress Energy, whose subsidiary oversees energy generation in #PuertoRico, is considering filing for bankruptcy in the United Kingdom to take advantage of a cheaper restructuring process than Chapter 11 in the U.S. subscriber.politicopro.com/article/eene...
2/2 Back in August, President Trump removed six of the seven members of the #PuertoRico Oversight Board, leaving the body with just one member. The judge’s preliminary injunction effectively reinstates the three plaintiffs.
1/2 A federal judge today ruled that Pres. Trump unlawfully removed three #PuertoRico Oversight Board members—Arthur Gonzalez, Andrew Biggs & Betty Rosa—since they were dismissed without cause under PROMESA. The members had filed suit Sept. 18. #muniland www.nytimes.com/2025/10/03/u...
2/2 2/2 Sen. Wyden’s findings are part of a broader probe into wealthy Americans using #PuertoRico tax breaks like Act 60. Back in January, Sen. Wyden had sought details on $850M in profits Morehead made after relocating to PR in 2020.
Full release: www.finance.senate.gov/ranking-memb...
1/2 Sen. Wyden of the US Senate Finance Committee today published new findings indicating that Pantera Capital's Dan Morehead, a crypto billionaire based in #PuertoRico, may have improperly avoided more than $100M in federal taxes through a purported residency scam.
2/2 The Energy Dept had announced its intent to reallocate the funds back in May.
May press release: www.energy.gov/articles/ene...
Today's press release:
www.energy.gov/articles/ene...
1/2 On Day 1 of the federal gov't shutdown, the Energy Dept confirms the reallocation of $365 million to address #PuertoRico’s grid crisis. Originally awarded for rooftop solar & battery installations, the funds will be distributed through PREPA, though exact use remains unclear.
DC Circuit Appeals Court today rejected a challenge by environmental groups to a natural gas pipeline built by New Fortress Energy in #PuertoRico. The pipeline was constructed without explicit approval from FERC, whose full review is still pending. media.cadc.uscourts.gov/opinions/doc...
Worth highlighting: The Heritage Foundation yesterday issued a statement applauding #PuertoRico’s $4B deal with New Fortress Energy to supply PR with natural gas for 7 years. The agreement includes a 3-year extension option & still requires OBoard approval. www.heritage.org/press/herita...
Like the House bill, the Senate reconciliation package would supercharge fossil fuel extraction & use, increase energy costs, and worsen exposure to dangerous climate impacts. Read on for details.
This week, Pres. Trump issued several anti-immigrant Executive Orders including one that aims to withhold funding from states & localities it deems uncooperative with federal immigration enforcement efforts & designates as Sanctuary Jurisdictions
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
The Trump Administration has made a shocking claim: that it can declare living people dead to cut off their access to government benefits and the broader U.S. financial system.
Thread on my colleagues’ new blog 🧵
www.cbpp.org/blog/trump-a...
2/2 Por si fuera poco, los aranceles que rigen en este momento, que están en su punto más elevado en 100 años, impactan con mayor severidad a las familias de clase media y de ingresos bajos.
www.cbpp.org/press/statem...
www.cbpp.org/research/fed...
1/2 Un pacto insĂłlito. La mayorĂa republicana en la Cámara federal ha aprobado una resoluciĂłn presupuestaria que pretende dar trillones en recortes contributivos a la gente más rica, a cambio de aplicar recortes masivos en Medicaid, SNAP y financiaciĂłn de prĂ©stamos estudiantiles.
2/2 Moody's & OBoard predict that #PuertoRico's economy will be stagnant over the next 10yrs & sustained largely by fed funds, making the Trump Admin's cuts particularly troubling for PR.
1 www.elnuevodia.com/negocios/eco...
2 www.elnuevodia.com/english/busi...
3 drive.google.com/file/d/1XBIt...
1/2 #PuertoRico's economic growth is slowing & by some measures it's already contracting. Planning Board has lowered prior GDP growth estimates for FY25 & FY26 to 1.1% & 0.5%, respectively. Moody's & Oversight Board have less optimistic outlook, forecasting contractions for FY25.
A welcome headline, as there is so much to oppose: the Senate budget resolution is deeply flawed as it opens the door to making it harder for people to afford groceries & access healthcare – at the worst possible time as the risk of recession & price hikes rise. thehill.com/homenews/hou...
At CBPP we've been tracking the impacts of recent administrative actions that are hurting communities most impacted by climate change: www.cbpp.org/research/fed...
Who will be hurt most? Read more below:
2/ A recent investigation shows that NFE is looking to store & distribute LNG from a pier in Ponce that is dangerously close (<1km) to communities, hotels and a university. www.periodicolaperla.com/actualidad/n...
All the while, NFE's credit ratings continue to fall. www.moodys.com/research/Moo...
1/ While new information surfaces that New Fortress is looking to further expand its LNG operation in #PuertoRico in the southern municipality of Ponce, Moody's is downgrading the company's legacy notes & senior loans deeper into junk rating territory.