Resident Commissioner Calls for Equitable Infrastructure Funding for Puerto Rico During House Committee Hearing

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández testified today before the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, urging his colleagues to ensure Puerto Rico’s full inclusion in federal surface transportation programs as the island braces for another active hurricane season.

“Puerto Rico is hit by storms that are only worsening as natural disasters become more frequent and severe. The damage they inflict on Puerto Rico’s infrastructure highlights the fragility of our transportation systems and underscores the urgent need for continued investment in disaster-resilient surface transportation, including roads, bridges, and reliable public transportation,” said Hernández.

During his testimony, Hernández highlighted the importance of programs authorized under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58), including the State of Good Repair Grant Program, which the Municipality of San Juan applied for and was awarded $11.1 million in FY2023 to improve public transit systems.

He also praised the creation of the Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) Program, which helps communities nationwide prepare infrastructure for extreme weather. However, he noted that Puerto Rico currently does not receive a formula allocation under PROTECT and he requested the committee to include Puerto Rico in the formula.

“In 2017, Puerto Rico endured one of the deadliest natural disasters in the U.S. in over a century with Hurricane Maria. The storm devastated our energy grid, decimated roads, and severely damaged critical infrastructure. With extreme weather events becoming more frequent and severe, it’s not a question of if another major storm will hit Puerto Rico – it’s when. That’s why it’s critical for Puerto Rico to be included in the formula allocation under programs like PROTECT. We need consistent, equitable access to these resources to strengthen our infrastructure now, before the next disaster strikes.”

The Resident Commissioner concluded by emphasizing the critical role transportation systems play in access to emergency services, education, and healthcare in Puerto Rico.

“The reality is that for Puerto Ricans, our transportation network is a lifeline. Its reliability directly impacts access to emergency services, education, and healthcare. When this system fails, particularly during hurricane season, the consequences could be deadly. As we move forward with this reauthorization, I urge the Committee to include Puerto Rico in all formula and competitive grant programs.”

The Resident Commissioner’s testimony before the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure reflects his ongoing efforts since taking office five months ago to engage with as many colleagues as possible and elevate Puerto Rico’s needs and potential. In January, just two weeks after being sworn in, he testifiedbefore the House Committee on Ways and Means, urging his colleagues to consider modern tax incentives to drive economic development in Puerto Rico – particularly by reshoring critical supply chains to the United States. This effort contributed to his role in introducing the bipartisan Supply Chain Growth and Recovery Act.

Click HERE to view the Resident Commissioner’s full testimony to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

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