Expressing continued support for the people of Puerto Rico, and urging the Federal Government to expedite the rebuilding of Puerto Rico's electrical grid.
- Bill Number
- H.Res. 124
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Energy
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-02-10: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Last Updated
- 2025-03-06T09:06:11Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This House Resolution (H. Res. 124) expresses ongoing support for the residents of Puerto Rico, an unincorporated U.S. territory, and calls on the federal government to speed up the reconstruction of the island's electrical grid, which has been unreliable since Hurricane Maria in 2017.
Key Provisions
- Background Context (Whereas Clauses): Highlights ongoing issues including frequent power outages, high energy costs, and unreliable service affecting over 3 million U.S. citizens in Puerto Rico; notes the humanitarian crisis, economic losses, and delays due to workforce shortages, supply chain problems, and regulations; emphasizes that billions in federal funds have been allocated but little spent, and stresses the U.S. responsibility for equitable infrastructure investment.
- House Commitments (Resolved Clause):
- Commits the House of Representatives to support Puerto Rico's recovery and help restore the island's full potential.
- Urges the President and federal agencies to take immediate action to resolve the electrical grid crisis and build a more resilient system.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding resolution, meaning it does not create new laws, amend existing statutes, or enforce requirements. It serves as a formal statement of the House's position rather than introducing legal changes.
Potential Impacts
- On Citizens: Could lead to faster improvements in electricity reliability, reducing outages that harm health, safety, daily life, and the economy for Puerto Rico's residents, potentially fostering economic growth and stability.
- On Government Agencies: May pressure agencies like the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Energy to accelerate fund disbursement, address delays, and prioritize grid rebuilding projects.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, as Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, but it reinforces U.S. domestic commitments to its citizens and could indirectly enhance the U.S. image in disaster recovery efforts.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Puerto Rico Residents: Primary beneficiaries, as they face the daily consequences of grid failures.
- Federal Government: Including the President, Congress, and agencies responsible for disaster aid and infrastructure (e.g., FEMA, Department of Energy).
- Puerto Rican Government and Utilities: Involved in grid operations and reconstruction, potentially gaining more federal support.
- U.S. Taxpayers: Indirectly affected through federal funding allocations for recovery efforts.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: As a simple resolution, it has no legal force but can influence executive actions and future appropriations bills; it underscores federal obligations under laws like the Stafford Act (which governs disaster relief) without altering them.
- Constitutional: Relates to Article IV, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution, which gives Congress authority over territories like Puerto Rico, highlighting debates on equitable treatment of territorial citizens compared to states.
- Political: Signals bipartisan House support (introduced by representatives from both parties) for Puerto Rico's recovery, potentially building momentum for funding in upcoming budgets; it addresses frustrations over slow post-hurricane aid, which could shape electoral or policy discussions on disaster preparedness and territorial rights.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15]
Cosponsors (4)
Rescom. Hernández, Pablo [D-PR-At Large], Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9], Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7], Rep. Pou, Nellie [D-NJ-9]
Recent Actions
- 2025-02-10: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 2025-02-10: Submitted in House
Bill Versions
- Expressing continued support for the people of Puerto Rico, and urging the Federal Government to expedite the rebuilding of Puerto Rico’s electrical grid. — issued 2025-02-10 — PDF (3 pages)