Bryan sought continued federal aid and policy support at IGIA annual meeting

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. said on Feb. 21, 2024, that he used remarks at the annual meeting of the Interagency Group on Insular Areas in Washington to press for continued federal assistance for the U.S. Virgin Islands.

According to Government House, Bryan cited a $1.1 billion federal matching-funds commitment through the U.S. Department of the Interior and FEMA and said the territory also needed a lower local cost share on pending and future hurricane recovery and infrastructure projects.

He also called for congressional support for rum cover-over legislation, urged the State and Treasury departments to oppose the inclusion of the small territories on the European Union blacklist, and backed legislation that would allow the Treasury Department to support bonds for all territories.

Government House said Bryan also raised challenges tied to reopening the St. Croix oil refinery and called for what he described as fair treatment from the Environmental Protection Agency.

In his closing remarks, Bryan called for equal treatment for U.S. citizens living in the territories and for coordination among the small territories on shared policy issues.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryan-applauds-federal-support-and-advocates-for-continued-assistance-at-igia-annual-meeting/