He sent a letter to the White House Office of Budget and Management along with Commissioner Jenniffer Gonzalez and the delegates from the other territories.
Thursday, April 8, 2021 - 6:51 p.m.
Washington, D.C. - Natural Resources Committee Chairman Raúl Grijalva and delegates from the five territories asked the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to promote the territories' full access to key federal programs such as Medicaid, food assistance and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
In a letter to OMB Acting Director Shalanda Young, federal lawmakers - including Washington Resident Commissioner Jenniffer Gonzalez - asked that the territories be taken into account when complying with the directive issued by President Joe Biden to that office to examine gaps in access to federal programs for people from disadvantaged communities and to prepare the FY 2022 budget.
The letter advocates for equal access for territories in the Medicaid, SSI, food assistance and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs.
"Expanding eligibility in these important federal programs for residents of U.S. territories aligns with President Biden's commitment to ensuring equal opportunity for all Americans and ending systemic racism," they said.
They added that "expanding these federal programs to residents of U.S. territories is essential to carrying out the mission of promoting equity among underserved communities as directed by President Biden."
The letter is signed by Grijalva, as chairman of the federal House Resources Committee; Commissioner Gonzalez; and delegates from the Northern Mariana Islands, Gregorio Sablan; Guam, Michael San Nicolas; U.S. Virgin Islands, Stacey Plaskett; and American Samoa, Aumua Amata Radewagen.
Commissioner Gonzalez and Radewagen are Republicans. The others caucus with the Democratic majority in the House of Representatives.
During the campaign, President Biden promised to push for Puerto Rico's full access to Medicaid, SSI and food assistance.
Although his administration did not withdraw its challenge to a First Circuit federal appeals decision that opens the door to SSI access for the island and other territories, the White House has indicated that President Biden wants that to be accomplished through the legislative process.