Post by Logan on May 10, 2016 2:13:30 GMT -6
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — As Congress debates how to help Puerto Rico with its $70 billion debt, Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew is trying to prod lawmakers into action with stories of crumbling infrastructure on the island and a lack of basic services.
On a one-day trip to the U.S. territory Monday, Lew toured a San Juan elementary school struggling with insects and limited electricity and a hospital unable to provide some basic services to infants. He walked through a once-vibrant shopping district now covered in graffiti and drove past shuttered stores and restaurants.
House Republicans are expected to announce new legislation this week to create a control board to help manage the island's financial obligations and oversee some debt restructuring.
The territory missed a nearly $370 million bond payment May 1.
www.dailyprogress.com/news/politics/wire/treasury-secretary-lew-says-time-is-now-to-help-puerto/article_682d9bba-e53a-5e46-b940-ef7093198d51.html
On a one-day trip to the U.S. territory Monday, Lew toured a San Juan elementary school struggling with insects and limited electricity and a hospital unable to provide some basic services to infants. He walked through a once-vibrant shopping district now covered in graffiti and drove past shuttered stores and restaurants.
House Republicans are expected to announce new legislation this week to create a control board to help manage the island's financial obligations and oversee some debt restructuring.
The territory missed a nearly $370 million bond payment May 1.
www.dailyprogress.com/news/politics/wire/treasury-secretary-lew-says-time-is-now-to-help-puerto/article_682d9bba-e53a-5e46-b940-ef7093198d51.html