Puerto Rico
On Thursday the House considered H.R. 5278, the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management and Economic Stability Act. Puerto Rico is a United States territory and its residents are citizens. It is currently facing a significant financial crisis, deep in debt with many essential services being reduced or eliminated. On July 1st, $2 billion in bond payments are due and Puerto Rico is at risk of defaulting on them. H.R. 5278 is a bipartisan compromise drafted in consultation with the White House and Treasury Department. It establishes a process for Puerto Rico to restructure 100% of its debt. It creates a Financial Oversight and Management Board which will have authority over annual budgets. H.R. 5278 places Puerto Rico on the path to stability. H.R. 5278 passed 297 to 127. A majority of Republicans and most Democrats voted AYE, but Rep. Reed was not among them. Why not, Tom; have you no concern for our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico?
http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2016/roll288.xml
New NY 23rd 
The time for this “territory” with 3.5 million citizens is over. Either make PR the 51st state or let them become an independent nation.
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I suppose Tom voted against this bill because there is nothing in it for him.
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It may have been a knee-jerk reaction. Tom Reed is a debt collector at heart, not one to show mercy or consideration.
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It doesn’t matter that residents Puerto Rico are citizens. He voted the way Carl Paladino and the Donald told him to vote.
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