Bryan urged Congress to expand SSI and other federal support in House committee testimony

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. testified virtually before the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources on May 18, 2022, during a hearing on the Department of the Interior Office of Insular Affairs' fiscal 2023 budget, outlining federal priorities for the U.S. Virgin Islands.

In prepared testimony, Bryan urged Congress to give U.S. territories parity with states for Supplemental Security Income, citing the U.S. Supreme Court's April 2022 decision denying equal SSI benefits to territorial residents. He said the ruling left Congress as the avenue for extending the benefit to Virgin Islanders.

During questioning from Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, Bryan said the lack of SSI parity contributed to families separating so relatives could move to the mainland to obtain care and benefits for children with disabilities.

Bryan also asked lawmakers to require federal agencies to waive local matching-fund requirements for disaster relief, saying some appropriated disaster funds remained inaccessible because of match obligations.

He called for changes to federal tax provisions applying the so-called GILTI tax to the territories, assistance in addressing Environmental Protection Agency concerns tied to reopening the Limetree Bay refinery, and restoration of highway funding that he said was reduced in 2012 and had not been fully restored.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryan-testifies-to-house-natural-resources-committee-about-territorys-needs-from-office-of-insular-affairs-2023-budget/