Bryan issued statement after Biden backed parity for U.S. territories in federal programs

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. issued a statement on June 9, 2021, after President Joe Biden said U.S. territories should be treated on equal footing with states in federal programs.

According to Government House, Biden said the Justice Department’s defense of unequal treatment of territorial residents in federal programs was inconsistent with his administration’s policies and values, and he called on Congress to amend existing laws.

Biden said, “As I’ve said before, there can be no second-class citizens in the United States of America. My administration will work with members of Congress to make these legislative fixes a reality.”

Bryan said Biden’s call for congressional action supported the Virgin Islands’ efforts to seek parity with states in federal assistance programs.

The statement said Biden’s position followed a review ordered in September 2020 under President Donald Trump of United States v. Vaello Madero, a 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that found the denial of Supplemental Security Income benefits to Puerto Rico residents unconstitutional.

Government House said the Justice Department filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court on June 7, 2021, stating that Congress has the power to deny otherwise eligible U.S. citizens in the territories access to Supplemental Security Income benefits based on where they live, while also noting the department’s practice of defending the constitutionality of federal statutes regardless of policy preferences.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryan-issues-statement-in-response-to-president-bidens-support-for-parity-in-u-s-territories/