Memorial Day is the time when our nation gathers to honor the many men and women who have selflessly defended this country and have paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the public and our democratic principles. The Virgin Islands proudly served and sacrificed its sons and daughters to American freedom even before it was part of this great nation. I salute these men and women, and their families for their bravery, strength, sacrifice, and courage. We, as citizens and as a community, are forever indebted to our servicemen and women. All gave some, but some gave all. I extend my deepest condolences to the families of our fallen heroes.

The U.S. Virgin Islands and the other insular territories do not receive their fair share of funding to federal health programs. Residents in the Virgin Islands should have just as much access to health care as any other resident of the United States. I introduced H.R. 2404, The Improving the Treatment of the U.S. Territories Under Federal Health Programs Act of 2017, to eliminate existing inequalities the territories face under Medicaid and Medicare. Click here for more.

Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett listens to testimony during a recent committee hearing.

At a recent committee hearing, I had the opportunity to discuss the importance of agriculture to the Virgin Islands economy with United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue. I highlighted some of the challenges confronting our local agriculture community and requested the USDA consider directing the appropriate resources to mitigate those challenges.
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Key provisions of federal legislation often exclude the U.S. Virgin Islands. This exclusion often happens due to its status as an insular territory, but mostly because the term “state” is not expressly defined in the U.S. Code to include the U.S. Territories. I recently introduced H.R. 1709, which will include the territories in the definition of the term “state” unless the legislation explicitly excludes the territories from the definition of the term.

Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett  remarks during a panel discussion on violence in the Caribbean in May.

Last week during a panel discussion on violence in the Caribbean, I highlighted the issue of gun violence in the Virgin Islands. After discussing ways to address this problem on a federal level, I was saddened to learn the recent spate of gun violence in the territory had continued and had claimed another life. Ending gun violence in the U.S. Virgin Islands is no easy feat. But it will continue if we do not address it in a comprehensive manner. My focus in stemming the tide of illegal guns and drugs through our borders has been to work with Congress and the Administration to identify and direct additional resources for border security; to underscore the importance of supporting public and private investment in the region and supporting social service and education programs. Click here for more.