Greetings, Happy Fall! The temperatures are cooling down here in Washington and I along with other Members of Congress are headed back to our districts for the October recess. I'm looking forward to spending quality time at home in the Virgin Islands as we prepare for a very consequential election, both locally and nationally. In this edition of our newsletter, we recap our August District Work Period and share legislative updates from September. Thank you for your continued support! |
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Congresswoman Plaskett with House colleagues at the US Embassy in Jordan |
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"On behalf of the American people, we push the intelligence community to be both effective and ethical. We strive to ensure that the intelligence community is collecting and analyzing intelligence that helps the President and Congress make smart national security decisions that keep our country safe and free, support our allies, and defend against our adversaries." |
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"I am proud to be the first delegate from a U.S. territory ever to serve on HPSCI, since its establishment over 45 years ago. I am also proud to be the top Democrat on HPCI’s National Intelligence Enterprise Subcommittee, which oversees the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), FBI, and the intelligence offices within the Drug Enforcement Administration and the departments of State, Treasury, Energy, and Homeland Security.
Serving on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI) is an honor and a weighty responsibility. The job of our committee is to conduct oversight of the U.S. intelligence community, which consists of 18 federal agencies—including the Central Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
[Read More...]
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Congresswoman Plaskett with the Palestinian National Authority |
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Congresswoman Plaskett with the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Senegal |
PLASKETT PROGRESSES MULTIPLE BIPARTISAN PIECES OF MAJOR LEGISLATION |
"I would like to thank my Republican colleagues, Congressman Graves and Congresswoman Gonzalez-Colon, Chairman Comer, Ranking Member Raskin and their teams for their willingness to work across the aisle to advance these two timely pieces of legislation for the Virgin Islands and the Caribbean region." |
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“I am pleased to share that during the month of September, H.R. 6084, the Expediting Disaster Recovery Act, which I reintroduced with my Republican colleague, Congressman Garret Graves, successfully passed the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee.
This bill creates a separate funding stream for FEMA, after the declaration of a major disaster, to expeditiously (within 30 days) allocate additional assistance to cover unmet needs as a result of such disaster. Since we are amid hurricane season and are on the frontlines of climate change, it continues to be abundantly clear that our territory and other disaster-impacted areas need the support of the federal government to rebuild lives, businesses, and communities as quickly as possible. This bill cuts out some of the unnecessary federal process to put a minimum amount of long-term recovery funding on the ground in the immediate aftermath of a major disaster, without taking away oversight of taxpayer dollars.
[Read more...]
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PLASKETT AND VI LEGISLATURE ADVOCATE FOR RELIABLE ENERGY SOLUTIONS AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE |
Following the events hosted by Congresswoman Plaskett, Senators Milton Potter, Donna Frett-Gregory and Samuel Carrion, worked collaboratively to advance Bill 35-0311 to mandate the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (WAPA) to submit a proposed modernization plan to the Legislature of the Virgin Islands within 270 days. The plan must outline steps and a timeline for implementing upgrades to the electrical grid after receiving technical assistance from several relevant federal agencies. The bill passed unanimously (14-0 with one member absent) and will go to Governor Bryan for consideration. |
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Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett and the Legislature of the Virgin Islands continue to advocate for reliable energy solutions and technical assistance in the U.S. Virgin Islands amid a power outage rotation schedule, power generation capacity and distribution challenges, and outdated equipment.
In July of this year, Congresswoman Plaskett hosted United States Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm and professional staff from the U.S. Department of Energy and White House staff in the Virgin Islands. During this visit, Secretary Granholm, Congresswoman Plaskett, and staff conducted a site tour of the Randolph Harley power plant on St Thomas. This was followed by roundtable discussions with local government officials and private stakeholders on how to create a more resilient and reliable energy grid, which can provide affordable, reliable power to the people of the Virgin Islands. During her visit, Secretary Granholm called the power reliability issues “unacceptable” and relayed the willingness of the U.S. Department of Energy to provide technical assistance.
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“It is critically important for our leaders to respond timely to ensure that those desperately in need of these replacement benefits receive them as quickly as possible, particularly since the recurring power outages affect our most vulnerable populations on a different level.” |
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The United States Department of Human Services (DHS) allows for individuals who are served through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to receive replacement SNAP benefits due to loss of food purchased with SNAP benefits. Accordingly, individuals who receive SNAP benefits and experience a power outage lasting four or more hours may be eligible to have food lost during the outage replaced. The Virgin Islands Department of Human Services (VIDHS) Division of Family Assistance is presently working to determine qualifications and provide the necessary framework to initiate the replacement of SNAP benefits if the events qualify. [Read more...] |
As part of this year’s 53rd annual CBC Annual Legislative Conference, my office along with Rep. Marilyn Strickland and her team hosted our 3rd annual Black Innovation Summit as part of our efforts as Co-Chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Black Innovation (CCBI).
Through CCBI, Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland and I are confronting the challenging economic and financial realities of Black innovators. We are committed to transform the status quo and advance robust policies to close the economic, ownership, and sustainability divide.
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REPS. PLASKETT AND CLARKE HOST ANNUAL CBC DAY PARTY |
In August, my team and I hosted town hall meetings on St. Thomas and St. Croix. We had representatives from the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority, the VI Department of Human Services and other government agencies who shared important updates regarding the recent rolling blackouts in the territory and SNAP recipients' access to replacement benefits due to food loss prompted by power outages. |
My team had an awesome time engaging with elementary and middle school students across the territory this week! Thank you to all of the administrators, counselors teachers who welcomed us and allowed us to engage with the brightest among us. Our youth! Our future!#VIStrong |
Despite flashy headlines printed over American flags and men who give speeches about their love for freedom, Project 2025 delivers no such freedoms. Project 2025 will rip experts out of agencies to be replaced by sycophantic political appointees.
It will strip women of even more healthcare access and rights. It will further dehumanize undocumented immigrants and punish their family members--even those who are American citizens--for daring to be associated with them.
It will restrict free speech in schools to only allow far-right-approved agendas and curriculums.
It will cut Title 1 funding that supports low-income schools and result in budget cuts at over 60% of public schools across the country.
It will eliminate Head Start--a program that currently supports 800,000 children across our country, increasing the number of Americans living in childcare deserts... |
During Hispanic Heritage Month, I celebrate the rich history, culture and contributions of the Hispanic community, particularly in my home of the Virgin Islands. This always includes Virgin Islands – Puerto Rico (VIPR) Friendship Day, where we recognize our deep-rooted connections and the unity shared between our islands and culture.
This year marks the 60th annual VIPR Friendship Day celebration, and I look forward to the cultural festivities that uplift the bonds of arts, culture, food, music, and family that have united us over these past decades. |
My husband and I applied for our TSA Global at the same time about 2 months ago. My husband, Dr. Dante P. Galiber, was approved but my status was still pending. We had a week to pray that my status would change. But the only option to expedite the process was to call the VI Delegate to Congress's Office. I spoke with Ms. Tionee Scotland and she was very helpful . She directed me to Ms. Laverne Joseph for help in acquiring my TSA Global Entry Approval before our departure date of September 30, 2024. Ms. Joseph called and shared that she cannot promise a miracle but asked for me to pray for one. She also wished me the best and to travel safely. Within 48 hours I received an email stating that my status had changed. I called the Delegate's Office immediately and thanked them for their efforts. If it was not for these two professional women and their efforts I would not have received my TSA Global Entry Approval. They are the epitome of women caring for those in their community when they are in need. --Y.A. Galiber |
2024 Military Academy Applications are available and the deadline is fast approaching!
Submit your application packet by Thursday, October 31st! |
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Sincerely,
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Stacey Plaskett
Member of Congress
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