Insular Areas

During meetings with federal officials last week to discuss issues related to the Virgin Islands, Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett raised the question of identified miscalculations of the rum-cover revenue allocation, which may have shortchanged the Virgin Islands General Fund by as much as $100 Million. Plaskett, who met with House Speaker Paul Ryan Tuesday to discuss the Virgin Islands financial condition, met later in the week with Department of Interior and Treasury Department officials to disc... Read more

Virgin Islands Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett met with Congressional Leadership and White House Administration Officials this week to discuss a number of issues related to the Virgin Islands. Plaskett, who met with House Speaker Paul Ryan, Tuesday, also took the time to discuss the Virgin Islands’ current fiscal issues and legislation she and other Territorial Delegates have introduced in the current Congress that will help correct some of those issues. “My meeting on Tuesday with Speaker Ryan wa... Read more

Virgin Islands Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett has been named Ranking Member of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee’s Subcommittee on the Interior, Energy and Environment in the 115th Congress. “I am grateful to be given the responsibility as the Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on the Interior, Energy and Environment for the Oversight and Government Reform Committee. As Ranking Member, it is my plan to bring much needed attention, through hearings, field work and investigations, into ... Read more

Just as the newly-convened 115th Congress began this week, Virgin Islands Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett brought the issue of unequal treatment of the territories to the forefront. Plaskett took the unprecedented and extraordinary step of interrupting the official vote for Speaker of the House to highlight the fact that the Delegates of the Territories are not allowed to cast their vote for the Speaker of the House and are not allowed a vote in Committee of the Whole. “I rise because my name or t... Read more

The Office of Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett in conjunction with the Army’s Office of the Chief Legislative Liaison will host a delegation of congressional staff in the territory for a congressional oversight activity beginning on Nov. 18. The oversight activity will provide the delegation of congressional armed services staff with vital information and familiarization of the local homeland security efforts in combating drug trafficking within the USVI and Puerto Rico and the various issues and c... 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 about the bill's shortsighted reach by providing payment for debt without giving support to Puerto Rico to generate ... Read more

The Virgin Islands of the United States Centennial Commission Act is one step closer to becoming law after it passed the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform with a unanimous vote today. “I am grateful for the support of my colleagues in the Oversight Committee and I am hopeful that their support will help move this important legislation forward. My staff and I will continue to work toward bringing this legislation to the house floor for a vote in the near future,” Plaskett said. The Vir... Read more

Support is growing for Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett’s bill to create a Congressional Commission and postal stamp commemorating the coming centennial anniversary of the transfer of the Virgin Islands from Denmark to the United States. Plaskett’s Centennial Commission Act, introduced earlier this month alongside a resolution (H.R. 2615) to create a postal stamp commemorating the historical 1917 event, has already garnered the support of 74 members of Congress from both sides of the isle. “I am gr... Read more

With less than two years to the 100-year anniversary of the Transfer of the Virgin Islands from Denmark to the Unites States, Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett has introduced a bill that would create a Congressional Commission to plan and carryout local and national events related to the 1917 transfer. Plaskett also introduced legislation asking the United States Postal Service to create a commemorative stamp marking the centennial anniversary. “This is an opportunity to revisit the history leading ... Read more

Virgin Islands Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett has announced the U.S. Virgin Islands will received a portion of $650,000 in grants approved by U.S. Department of Interior Assistant Secretary for Insular Areas Esther Kia'aina to help coral reefs in U.S. insular areas. “This funding shows the continued commitment of the Department of Interior to protect the natural resources of America’s island territories, and is a welcome resource to our local coral reef conservation efforts,” Plaskett said... Read more