Statehood admission bill introduced — a NAPREC perspective
H.R. 1522 proposed admitting Puerto Rico as a state. Its introduction by Representative Darren Soto and bipartisan cosponsors opened a legislative path for consideration; introducing a bill did not itself change the island’s status. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
A status convention proposal enters Congress — a NAPREC perspective
H.R. 2070 proposed a status convention and a mechanism for congressional consideration of its outcome. The bill offered a different decision-making process from direct admission legislation, placing competing approaches before the same Congress. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
House hearing examines competing status bills — a NAPREC perspective
The House Natural Resources Committee heard testimony on H.R. 1522 and H.R. 2070. Its public record brings together elected officials and legal perspectives on admission and self-determination, documenting the debate without enacting either proposal. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
GAO identifies barriers to disaster recovery — a NAPREC perspective
GAO reported that large FEMA funding obligations had not yet translated into completed rebuilding. Puerto Rico’s difficulty financing work before reimbursement and limited project capacity were among the risks requiring a coordinated federal and local response. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Two paths to a status decision receive further scrutiny — a NAPREC perspective
The House Natural Resources Committee scheduled another legislative hearing on the admission and self-determination bills. The record shows how both proposals remained part of congressional debate during 2021, rather than a completed change in political status. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Supreme Court hears the SSI case — a NAPREC perspective
The Supreme Court heard oral arguments in United States v. Vaello Madero. The dispute concerned the exclusion of Puerto Rico residents from Supplemental Security Income, bringing unequal access to federal benefits before the justices. A decision followed in 2022. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
NAPREC’s inaugural Equality Day in Orlando — a NAPREC perspective
NAPREC’s original announcement scheduled its Equality Day kickoff for May 31, 2021, in Orlando. The program focused on civic participation, stateside voting power and advocacy for equality through statehood. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Dorado groundwater cleanup plan proposed — a NAPREC perspective
EPA proposed long-term monitoring and exposure controls for contaminated closed wells in Dorado, inviting public comment before a final decision. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Ochoa Fertilizer proposed for Superfund listing — a NAPREC perspective
EPA proposed adding the Guánica site to the National Priorities List. A proposed listing was a step toward further federal cleanup action. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Three municipalities selected for brownfields grants — a NAPREC perspective
EPA selected three Puerto Rico municipalities for $900,000 in assessment and cleanup support for contaminated properties. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Rincón construction enforcement announced in 2021 — a NAPREC perspective
EPA announced an action concerning stormwater violations at a Rincón construction project, emphasizing permits and erosion controls. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Dorado groundwater plan finalized — a NAPREC perspective
EPA finalized a plan to prevent exposure to contaminated groundwater and monitor closed wells following public review of its earlier proposal. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
UPR receives diesel-emissions reduction award — a NAPREC perspective
EPA’s national diesel-reduction awards included approximately $1 million for the University of Puerto Rico to replace long-haul trucks. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Superfund backlog funding includes Puerto Rico communities — a NAPREC perspective
EPA announced infrastructure-law funding to begin or accelerate Superfund cleanups, identifying benefits for Puerto Rico communities awaiting remediation. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Infrastructure law brings new water-funding allocation — a NAPREC perspective
EPA announced more than $78 million for Puerto Rico’s 2022 water-infrastructure funding, prioritizing improvements through revolving-fund programs. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Federal complaint addresses Toa Alta landfill — a NAPREC perspective
The Justice Department filed a complaint for EPA seeking an end to waste disposal and corrective action at the Toa Alta landfill. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Culebra selected for local-food planning partnership — a NAPREC perspective
A federal partnership selected Culebra for community-led local-food planning, linking neighborhood revitalization, environmental protection and food access. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Debt review finds continuing fiscal pressures — a NAPREC perspective
GAO’s 2021 territorial debt review found that Puerto Rico remained in default while restructuring continued. The report connected repayment capacity with economic contraction, population loss, and the effects of natural disasters and the pandemic. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
Medicaid contracting review recommends risk-based oversight — a NAPREC perspective
GAO recommended that CMS strengthen oversight of Puerto Rico’s Medicaid procurement. Its review found gaps in measures to promote competition and reduce risks of waste, fraud, and abuse in contracting. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.
GAO disputes the calculation of Puerto Rico’s Medicaid allotment — a NAPREC perspective
GAO concluded that HHS used an unauthorized calculation for Puerto Rico’s fiscal 2022 Medicaid allotment under the statute then in effect. The decision highlighted the uncertainty produced by special territorial funding rules. Original NAPREC analysis in English and Spanish.