Press Releases

“Our thoughts are with the people of our neighboring island territory during what has to be a difficult time. Today I reached out to my colleague Rep. Pedro Pierluissi to let him know that the people of the Virgin Islands are watching, praying and making ourselves available to assist in whatever way we can. Rep. Pierluisi’s office has let us know that FEMA is providing… Read more »

Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett’s legislation for a Congressional Commission to recognize the 1917 transfer of the Virgin Islands for Denmark to the United States is on its way to becoming law after it passed the U.S. Senate last night. The Virgin Islands of the United States Centennial Commission Act, once signed into law by the President, will form an eight-member commission to… Read more »

In commemoration of the 15th anniversay of the 9/11 Terror Attacks, Virgin Islands Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett issued the following statement: "On this 15th anniversary of 9/11, let us remember the many men and women—some of who were Virgin Islanders—who lost their lives on that fateful day. Let us also honor the memory and the heroism of our first responders and our… Read more »

In commemoration of the Labor Day holiday, Virgin Islands Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett issued the following statement: “Each year, we gather as a nation to commemorate the American labor movement and the contributions that workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of the country.Similarly, here in the Virgin Islands, our history with organized… Read more »

Virgin Islands Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett issued the following statement in response to the Fitch Ratings’ decision to downgrade the Virgin Islands’ gross receipts and matching fund bonds: “Fitch and other rating agencies’ assessment of PROMESA and their determination to include all the territories as at risk due to Congress' action to protect bond holders confirms our concerns… Read more »

Following news that personal photographs and a private family video that had been shared between Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett and her husband, Jonathan Buckney-Small, were illegally obtained and disseminated via the internet, the Congresswoman issued the following statement: “The theft and distribution of these personal images via the internet marks a new low in Virgin Islands… Read more »

In commemoration of the 168th anniversary of the abolition od slavery in the Virgin Islands, Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett released the following statement:  "Emancipation Day is not only the day we commemorate the abolition of slavery in the Virgin Islands, but also the day we celebrate the unsung legacy of our ancestors' long fight for freedom. We have emancipated ourselves from… Read more »

Virgin Islands Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett and Colleagues from the U.S. House of Representatives joined President Obama's Delegation to the re-opening of the Panama Canal on June 25. The delegation was led by House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman, Rep. Bill Schuster (R-PA) and Dr. Jill Biden, who represented the President during the two-day… Read more »

Virgin Islands Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett released the following statement on the Mass shooting at the Pulse Nighclub in Orlando, Florida: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the city of Orlando, the victims and their loved ones. There is a large Virgin Island diaspora in the greater Orlando area and we pray for their safety, as well as the safety of their loved ones. What… Read more »

In a significant victory for the U.S. Virgin Islands, the territory is no longer directly tied to the Puerto Rico Oversight Management and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA), which passed the U.S. House of Representatives today. The legislation passed after a change to a controversial provision in the Bill, which extended the option for an Oversight Board to preside over U.S. Territories… Read more »