Statement from Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández on House-Passage of H.R. 1

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Puerto Rico Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1, known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”:

“This bill maintains, without cuts or restrictions, Medicaid and Nutrition Assistance Program (PAN) funding for Puerto Rico, ensuring the continuity of these essential benefits for thousands of Puerto Rican families.

“In addition, the bill makes the Opportunity Zones policy permanent, creating a stable framework to attract investment to low-income communities, including those in Puerto Rico if so designated by the local government.

“H.R. 1 permanently extends the Additional Child Tax Credit, which is the refundable portion of the Child Tax Credit that can be claimed in Puerto Rico, at its current maximum of $1,700. This credit will continue to be adjusted for inflation and will be fully available to qualifying children in Puerto Rico.

“Finally, following our direct efforts with Senate leadership, we succeeded in including a provision to restore the rum cover-over to its full historical level, which represents more than $110 million in additional revenue on top of the approximately $400 million the Government of Puerto Rico currently receives annually under this provision. This change will have a direct economic impact on our public finances,” stated the Resident Commissioner.

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