Puerto Rico resident commissioner appointed to House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

SAN JUAN – Puerto Rico’s congresswoman, Jenniffer González Colón, was appointed to the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, from where she will continue to oversee and advocate for funds and tools for the reconstruction of Puerto Rico, according to a release issued Thursday.

In addition, she was appointed to the House Natural Resources Committee, which deals with everything related to U.S. territories.

The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has jurisdiction over all matters related to aviation, maritime activity, highways, bridges, public transportation and trains. It also has jurisdiction over other aspects of infrastructure, such as flood control projects, wastewater management, potable water, the development of disadvantaged urban and rural areas, and disaster preparedness and response.

As a member of the committee, González will have a supervisory role over agencies such as the Army Corps of Engineers, the Department of Transportation, the Coast Guard, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The congresswoman said that the recommendations of the “study approved by law on the viability of an Air Cargo Center on the island, could advance from this committee; the audit of federal agencies such as FEMA regarding reconstruction work; improvements to infrastructure and roads; the development and improvement of regional airports as well as port dredging and revitalization; the creation of a more efficient and resistant electrical system; and the flood control work carried out by the Corps of Engineers,
among other matters,” according to the release.

Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González and House Transportation Committee Chairman Peter DeFazio (Courtesy)

The announcement was made by the ranking member of the committee, Sam Graves (R-MO), on Wednesday, when González Colón also met with committee Chairman Peter DeFazio (D-OR) who visited the island with the congresswoman after Hurricane Maria to conduct damage inspections including to the Palo Seco power complex in Toa Baja, as well as to discuss priorities.

Related Posts

• 

  U.S. Senate Does Not Need to Heed GAO Opinion
  U.S. Senate Does Not Need to Heed GAO Opinion
• 

  Shadow Delegation Stresses Support for Statehood Admission Act
  Shadow Delegation Stresses Support for Statehood Admission Act
• 

  Resident Commissioner Presents Amendment to extend Puerto Rico’s access to Medicaid funding
  Resident Commissioner Presents Amendment to extend Puerto Rico’s access to Medicaid funding
• 

  U.S. House committee to hold hearing on Promesa’s implementation amid pandemic
  U.S. House committee to hold hearing on Promesa’s implementation amid pandemic

You must be logged in to post a comment Login