Press Releases

Virgin Islands Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett officially began her second term in office after being sworn in as a member of the 115^th Congress today.

“Today allows us to continue our efforts on behalf of the people of the Virgin Islands. It also marks a time of uncertainty, as we begin the 115^th Congress amid a high level of uncertainty and hostility, nationally, as well as an incoming Trump Administration that has raised questions and concerns for many of our residents back at home. My office will continue to remain vigilant and pro-active in our efforts to advance the interest of the Virgin Islands and its people,” Plaskett said.

In addition to anticipating tough battles to protect federal funding to critical programs that impact the territory’s residents, Plaskett plans to continue pushing her legislative agenda in the 115^th Congress.

The second-term Congresswoman reintroduced six bills from the 114^th Congress, most of which are geared toward improving the Virgin Islands economy. Plaskett also introduced a new bill to expand the localism of public television broadcasts on satellite services in U.S. Territories, and plans to introduce legislation to designate St. Croix a National Heritage Area.

Plaskett’s new bill proposes to amend the “carry one, carry all” provision in the Satellite Home Viewer Extension and Reauthorization Act of 2004 to require satellite carriers to carry the analog and digital signals of  television broadcast stations licensed in the Territories. The provision currently requires satellite carriers to include local broadcast station in markets in the contiguous United States and in markets with more than five million subscribers.

Reintroduced Legislation

Territorial Economic Growth and Recovery Act of 2016 – Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the limitation on the amount of distilled spirits excise taxes covered over to the treasuries of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

Territorial Tax Parity Act of 2016 – Amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the income source rules involving U.S. possessions.

Territorial Tax Equity and Economic Growth Act – Amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify the residence and income source rules involving U.S. possessions, including Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

United States Virgin Islands College Access Act of 2015 –Directs the United States Virgin islands to use federal funds authorized by this Act to award grants to public four-year institutions of higher education (IHEs) located in the states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or Guam to cover the difference between the in-state and out-of-state tuition and fees.

Hire a Hero Act of 2015, Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow employers a work opportunity tax credit for hiring a member of the Ready Reserve or the National Guard, and make such credit with respect to the hiring of qualified veterans and members of Ready Reserve and National Guard permanent.

Harmonized Tariff Schedule Amendment- To amend the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to extend to 2027 the production certificate program that allows refunds of duties on certain articles produced in United States Insular possessions.

Virgin Islands Visa Waiver Act of 2015 – Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish a Visa Waiver Program for the United States Virgin Islands for a national of a country that is a member or an associate member of CARICOM.

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