Greetings and Happy Spring! My team and I have kept quite busy through the months of April and May of this year. Despite Republicans having the majority across Congress and a Republican administration, we secured a tremendous win for the Virgin Islands with an exemption for the Caribbean with regard to the Trump Administration's port fees on Chinese-made shipping vessels. You can read more about the exemption and other updates below. My district team and I also hosted numerous town halls and our annual Virgin Islands history events, which showcased the awesome talent and engagement of our youth. Thank you for your continued support! |
“I am always privileged by the opportunity to be a part of the Intelligence Committee and take seriously the responsibility with our nation’s national security. Members of the Committee are appointed by the Speaker of the House. I look forward to continuing the work of improving our nation’s national security and strengthening the ties between the U.S. and our allies.” |
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"During the month of April, I traveled as a member of the House Intelligence Committee to NATO countries to conduct oversight on intelligence operations and international cooperation in the region. "In Sweden, I met with U.S. Embassy officials and the Swedish government to discuss NATO integration, Baltic security, and the threat of undersea cable sabotage—potentially linked to Russian and Chinese activity. I also assessed the global impact of USAID’s dismantling, which has weakened Sweden’s aid ability and harmed our diplomatic relationships."
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“I thank my colleagues, USTR Ambassador Greer, elected officials, the maritime industry, and stakeholders, particularly Tropical Shipping and Jennifer Nugent-Hill, for their support to urge the Trump Administration to reconsider the Proposed Action,” said Plaskett. “I will continue to collaborate in a bipartisan manner with my colleagues, stakeholders, and the Virgin Islands community to advance the interests of the Virgin Islands. I believe that we can work with everyone while not compromising our values and beliefs and get things done. This achievement is an example of that.” |
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"I am grateful I had the opportunity to speak with and question US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer during a Ways & Means Committee hearing last week and at that time urging the Ambassador to consider the practical impacts of tariff actions on the U.S. outlying areas and ultimately reconsider those actions. Our communities would have borne a tremendous undue cost, which made clear the need for an exemption.
"I also led a letter to USTR Ambassador Greer and the Administration, with Members of Congress from both the Atlantic and Pacific areas to make the case for an exemption for the territories and US-owned companies and underscore the impact of these fees on the Virgin Islands, which would have permeated through the Caribbean region.
"USTR Ambassador Greer took my letter into serious consideration when making final arrangements of this action."
There would have been far-reaching economic consequences, including shipping delays and estimates of 50-60% increased shipping costs under the Proposed Action. However, the U.S. Virgin Islands falls within the 2,000 mile exemption (Annex II, Targeted Coverage, page 33) in the Notice of Action issued today by USTR. Furthermore, transport operators with fleets comprised of Chinese-built vessels would have been charged up to $1.5 million per vessel entrance to an American port, as well as an ‘additional fee’ of up to $1 million per vessel entrance to an American port if the number of foreign-built vessels in the operator’s fleet is equal to or greater than 25 percent. Even vessels under the U.S. flag, operated and owned by a U.S. entity that are Chinese-built would have been subject to the fees in USTR’s proposal. If the Proposed Action had been implemented, the unintended consequence would have been an increased presence of Chinese vessels and carriers transporting goods from sources outside of the United States—including China—within the United States’ third border, the Caribbean Basin.
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“My office is committed to working with everyone in the Virgin Islands healthcare space to ensure that our providers and community have the necessary support to ensure both short- and long-term stability. I am grateful for the commitment and passion of our doctors and healthcare professionals. They have made a lifetime commitment to our community, and I respect their dedication to their patients. I was also happy for the transparency of the hospital Board in discussing their ongoing work to stabilize and create positive change in the hospital. The hospitals provide essential care to everyone in the Virgin Islands, and I will collaborate with the federal and local government to protect our healthcare system.” |
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"In mid-April, I and my office met with key stakeholders in our healthcare sector. Given the heightened concerns related to our hospitals in the Virgin Islands- including staffing shortages, supply deficits, and operational challenges, meeting with those responsible fr the hospitals was very relevant. On Thursday, we met with the Juan F. Luis Hospital physicians and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Regina Flippin, as well as the Schneider Regional Medical Center physicians and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. George Rosenberg, and on Sunday, I met with the Virgin Islands Government Hospital and Health Facilities Corporation Territorial Board Executive Committee (Corporation). I appreciate the responsiveness of the physician community and the Corporation, and value the respective, collaborative discussions."
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“I will continue to collaborate in a bipartisan manner with my colleagues, stakeholders, and the Virgin Islands community to advance the interests of the Virgin Islands.” |
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“This week, President Trump announced an executive order which doubles down on previous tariff directives and provides a structure to move ahead with the administration’s Section 301 tariff actions which will impose significant port fees on maritime transport operators with fleets comprised of Chinese-built vessels. If the order comes into full effect, it will result in significant port fees on maritime transport operators servicing the United States Virgin Islands. The order also directs the U.S. Trade Representative to consider imposing fees on Chinese-built cranes and other cargo-handling equipment, an action which could affect almost every port in America.
“These actions will cause increased shipping costs, shipping delays and, in some cases, the wholesale termination of service by cargo carriers to impacted locations throughout the coast of the United States and especially places like the Virgin Islands."
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“In rural, coastal areas, these harbors act as hubs for commerce and tourism. I am thankful to my colleague, Congressman Barry Moore, for his partnership in leading this legislation which will support small ports nationwide get federal loans and grants and improve their broadband coverage, thereby enabling working-waterfronts to order inventory and coordinate deliveries, access real-time weather updates and grow economically. The reintroduction of this bill is one step in the legislative process. Legislation does not become law until passed by the House, passed by the Senate, then signed by the President. I am hopeful this measure will be considered by the full House in short order, and my team and I will be working to have companion measures considered by the Senate.” |
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The Broadband Internet for Small Ports Act recognizes the importance of small ports to their rural economies as hubs for commerce, tourism and community development. In rural, coastal areas, people congregate near inland and small ports. These harbors act as key economic engines for not just their local communities but their broader regions. This bill helps small ports nationwide obtain federal grants and loans to improve their broadband internet coverage, enables working waterfronts to keep pace with the needs of 21st century trade and improves workplace safety. Increased broadband internet coverage gives small ports a better chance to compete in an ever-changing marketplace and better serve the communities that depend on them,”
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CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT HOSTS 43RD ANNUAL CONGRESSIONAL ART COMPETITION |
My team and I held a reception to announce the winners of the 43rd Annual Congressional Art Competition and showcase the artwork of all participating students. The winners were selected from a diverse range of submissions by talented high school students throughout the Virgin Islands. Of the 14 entries, 3 top winners were selected:
- 1st Place: Contemplation by Henson Barley Jr. - St. Croix Educational Complex High School
- 2nd Place: Island Vibe by Riyanna M. Sutton - St. Croix Educational Complex High School
- 3rd Place: Lady in Madras by Ava Daniel - Ivanna Eudora Kean High School
We would like to extend our gratitude to the Virgin Islands Council on the Arts for their efforts every year towards the success of the Congressional Art Competition in our territory. VICA’s unwavering support of the arts in our community plays a vital role in fostering creativity.
We are also thankful for the hospitality of the Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts, which graciously hosted this reception and provided a beautiful venue to showcase the talents of our young artists. We thank the families, educators, and judges whose dedication helps cultivate a strong foundation for the arts and the preserves our cultural heritage in the Virgin Islands.
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CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT HOSTS U.S. POSTAL SERVICE TOWNHALL AND VIRGIN ISLANDS HISTORY WITH STACEY |
"During the last week of March, my team and I hosted numerous community outreach events. On Thursday, March 27th and Friday, March 28th, we hosted U.S. Postal Service Town Hall Working Sessions where we received in writing various constituent complaints, inquiries, and testimonials regarding delayed or damaged packages and other issues. The US Postal Service initially agreed to have representatives from the regional and local offices present at both town halls, but then later declined the invitation, stating that travel demands were too great and would take too much time away from USPS staff and representatives’ work duties. Despite the US Postal Service representatives’ inability to attend, we received numerous complaints and shared information on additional topics regarding social security, immigration and veterans affairs.
"On Saturday, March 29th and Sunday, March 30th, we also hosted our 4th annual V.I. History with Stacey events where Virgin Islands’ students were front and center with numerous displays of Virgin Islands history and culture through the performing arts and spoken word. Also a part of the program were this year’s winners of the office’s Black History Month essay contest (winners’ names listed below).
Middle School High School
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Meet Christian McCauley - Staff Assistant/Legislative Correspondent Christian was born and raised in Austin, Texas, a graduate of Morehouse College ’23 and an alumnus of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (FA ‘23). As an early policy-making professional, his education and career objectives are to grow in the role as Rep. Plaskett’s Staff Assistant and Legislative Correspondent and work towards a graduate degree to be equipped with skills and development necessary to contribute to public service, governance, and the policy-making process. |
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Meet Alayah Phipps - Digital/Press Assistant Born is Silver Spring, Maryland and raised with deep Virgin Islands roots, Alayah is a proud graduate of Delaware State University (Fall '22), where she earned her B.A. in Criminal Justice. Currently pursuing an MPA with aspirations to pursue a career in law, Alayah brings a dynamic blend of communication skills, leadership experience, and continues serving the Virgin Islands community on both local and national platforms. |
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Our team continues to gather complaints on USPS issues in order to share with USPS regional representatives.
Please call our office or visit plaskett.house.gov and complete the USPS Complaint Form under the Services tab. |
Regardless of your immigration status, you have guaranteed rights under the Constitution. Know your rights!
Click here to access flyer in Spanish. Click here to access flyer in Haitian Creole. |
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Sincerely,
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Stacey Plaskett
Member of Congress
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