Bryan Appears Before U.S. Senate For The Last Time
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
M.A. Dworkin
Washington, D.C. - In his eighth State of the Territories appearance, before the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, Governor Albert Bryan Jr. advanced a clear and forward looking agenda for healthcare, equity, investment, energy security and continued economic growth.
Testifying at the Committee’s Annual State of the Territories hearing at the U.S. Capitol Governor Bryan joined the Governors of all five U.S. Territories in outlining priorities requiring congressional action.
Governor Bryan called on Congress to:
Eliminate the federal Medicaid funding cap so funding can respond to enrollment and economic need, as it does in the States.
Modernize hospital reimbursement rates by replacing the outdated TEFRA system with a structure that reflects the true cost of providing modern healthcare in the Virgin Islands.
Extend Supplemental Security Income benefits to eligible Virgin Islanders so elderly and disabled American citizens are not denied assistance solely because they live in a Territory.
Fund U.S. Customs and Border Protection operations through regular federal appropriations rather than requiring the Virgin Islands to reimburse the federal government for core border security, customs and trade services.
Support a responsible restart of the St. Croix refinery to strengthen domestic energy security, restore industrial capacity and create jobs for Virgin Islanders.
Correct federal tax policies that discourage investment by treating the Virgin Islands like a foreign jurisdiction despite its congressionally established mirror-code tax system.
Defend Virgin Islands businesses from foreign economic actions, including the British Virgin Islands’ sharp increase in charter licensing fees and the European Union’s continued blacklisting of the Territory.
Expand access to the H-2B visa program so the Territory can secure the electricians, plumbers, carpenters and other skilled workers needed to complete federally funded recovery projects.
The Governor said these reforms would strengthen healthcare, attract investment, accelerate building and allow the Virgin Islands to contribute more fully to America’s energy security, maritime presence and regional leadership.
“The people of the Virgin Islands are not asking for special treatment,” Governor Bryan stated. “We are asking Congress to remove these barriers to guarantee that we have the same opportunities, the same tools, and the same chance to succeed that every American community on the mainland enjoys.”
Throughout his tenure, Governor Bryan has used the annual hearing to advance the Territory’s interests and make the case that federal investment in the Virgin Islands also strengthens the nation.
His final testimony presented the Territory not as a community defined by past disasters or longstanding disparities, but as a resilient and increasingly capable American jurisdiction ready to play a larger role in the nation’s future.
“The Virgin Islands is not just a Territory seeking assistance - we are an American asset,” Governor Bryan told the Committee. “We have the potential to strengthen our nation’s maritime presence, energy security, and economic leadership.”
The Governor closed by urging Congress to build on the progress achieved during his Administration and give the next generation of Virgin Islanders the tools to compete, prosper and contribute fully to the nation.
“All we ask is the opportunity to contribute on equal footing with every other American community.”
