{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Democrat\", state = \"VI\" and year = 2026 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6159", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT MOURNS THE PASSING OF CALYPSO LEGEND - THE MIGHTY SPARROW", "2026-09-28", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland\n\nSeptember 28, 2026 202-808-6129\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT MOURNS THE PASSING OF CALYPSO LEGEND - THE MIGHTY SPARROW\n\nU.S. Virgin Islands\u2014 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI) issued the following statement on the passing of Slinger Francisco, internationally renowned calypsonian also known as, \"The Mighty Sparrow\":\n\n\"It is with deep sadness that I join the people of the Virgin Islands and the entire Caribbean family in mourning the passing of Slinger Francisco, the Mighty Sparrow. For more than six decades, he gave voice to the joys, struggles, humor, and truths of Caribbean life.\n\n\u201cSparrow was known as the 'Calypso King of the World. He was a master storyteller and social commentator who used his wit and his music to hold a mirror up to society, and he carried our region's culture to stages around the globe. Generations of Virgin Islanders have danced to his music at Carnival, at family gatherings, in our local communities and far into the Caribbean diaspora. His songs are woven into the fabric of our shared Caribbean identity.\n\n\"We are profoundly grateful that Sparrow chose to share his extraordinary artistry and gift with the world. He inspired countless calypsonians and artists who followed him, and his legacy will live on through the beauty of our Calypso and Soca music.\n\n\"On behalf of the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands, I extend my heartfelt condolences to his wife, his children, grandchildren, loved ones, the people throughout our Caribbean region and the diaspora, and to all who loved him. May he rest in eternal peace.\"", 1, "2026-09-29T11:07:12Z", "2026-09-29T11:08:49Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6157", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT CELEBRATES HOUSE PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION TO HONOR VIRGIN ISLANDS MUSIC LEGEND PETER G. THURLAND SR.", "2026-09-14", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland\n\nSeptember 14, 2026 202-808-6129\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT CELEBRATES HOUSE PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION TO HONOR VIRGIN ISLANDS MUSIC LEGEND PETER G. THURLAND SR.\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 The U.S. House of Representatives today passed H.R. 8121, legislation introduced by Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI) to designate the Christiansted Bandstand in Christiansted, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, as the \u201cPeter G. Thurland, Sr., Bandstand.\u201d\n\n\u201cI am pleased that the House has passed H.R. 8121 to designate the Christiansted Bandstand as the Peter G. Thurland, Sr., Bandstand,\u201d said Congresswoman Plaskett. \u201cThe Christiansted Bandstand is one of the most significant cultural landmarks in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Peter Thurland helped build it, served his country with distinction, and dedicated decades of his life to the cultural life of St. Croix. I thank Chairman Westerman (R-AK), Ranking Member Huffman (D-CA), and the Members and staff of the House Committee on Natural Resources for their expeditious consideration of this bill, and I thank my House colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their support.\u201d\n\nThe Christiansted Bandstand has served for over a century as a gathering place for residents and visitors and as the center of St. Croix\u2019s musical and civic life. Peter Gregory Thurland, Sr., was born on February 19, 1892, in Christiansted, St. Croix, and performed with the Christiansted Industrial Brass Band at the March 31, 1917, ceremony that marked the transfer of the Virgin Islands to the United States. He went on to enlist in the U.S. Navy, where he was instrumental in the physical construction and design of the Bandstand and performed there with the Christiansted Naval Band until his honorable discharge in 1921. In 1938, Mr. Thurland founded the St. Croix Community Band, leading free monthly concerts at the Bandstand for three decades and training generations of young musicians until 1968.\n\nThis legislation was first introduced by Congressman Ron de Lugo in the 103rd Congress. Congresswoman Plaskett is proud to carry it forward in the 119th Congress on behalf of the Thurland family, who have long advocated for this recognition. This bill now moves to the U.S. Senate for consideration, and if passed, it will proceed to the President's desk to be signed into law.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-15T09:50:21Z", "2026-09-15T09:52:05Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6156", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT ANNOUNCES DISTRICT OFFICE CLOSURES FOR CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS FOUNDATION ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE", "2026-09-11", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland\n\nSeptember 11, 2026 202-808-6129\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT ANNOUNCES DISTRICT OFFICE CLOSURES FOR CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS FOUNDATION ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE\n\nU.S. Virgin Islands \u2014 The St. Croix and St. Thomas district offices of Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett will be closed from Tuesday, September 15, through Monday, September 21, 2026, as the Congresswoman and staff participate in the 55th Annual Legislative Conference (ALC55) of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation in Washington, D.C. Both district offices will reopen on Tuesday, September 22, 2026.\n\n\"Each year, the Annual Legislative Conference brings together Black leaders, advocates, and policymakers from across this country and the diaspora to confront the issues that shape our communities\u2014economic opportunity, health care, education, and the full and equal participation of every American in our democracy.\n\n\"I thank the people of the Virgin Islands for their patience during this week, and my team and I look forward to being back at full service in the district on Monday, September 21.\"\n\nThe Washington, D.C. office will remain open during this period. For assistance while the district offices are closed, please call 202-225-1790 (Washington, D.C.). Messages left at 340-778-5900 (St. Croix) and 340-774-4408 (St. Thomas) will be returned when the offices reopen on Monday, September 21, 2026.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-12T09:02:30Z", "2026-09-12T09:03:27Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6153", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT SENDS PRAYERS TO PRIME MINISTER TERRANCE DREW OF ST. KITTS AND NEVIS", "2026-09-03", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland\n\nSeptember 3, 2026 202-808-6129\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT SENDS PRAYERS TO PRIME MINISTER TERRANCE DREW OF ST. KITTS AND NEVIS\n\nU.S. Virgin Islands \u2014 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI) today issued the following statement regarding the health of Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, the Honourable Dr. Terrance M. Drew:\n\n\"My thoughts and prayers are with Prime Minister Terrance Drew, his family, and the people of St. Kitts and Nevis as he receives care. Dr. Drew has given himself to his people twice over \u2014 first as a physician and now as the leader of his nation \u2014 and I am praying for his full and swift recovery.\n\n\"At moments like this, titles and offices fall away and what remains is a family hoping for good news. I join all who are keeping Prime Minister Drew in their prayers and wish him strength, healing, and a speedy return to the work he loves.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-04T09:19:37Z", "2026-09-04T09:20:58Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6114", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT STATEMENT ON HOUSE PASSAGE OF TWO-YEAR EXTENSION OF HAITI HOPE HELP AND AGOA TRADE PREFERENCE PROGRAMS", "2026-09-01", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland\n\nSeptember 1, 2026 202-808-6129\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT STATEMENT ON HOUSE PASSAGE OF TWO-YEAR EXTENSION OF HAITI HOPE/HELP AND AGOA TRADE PREFERENCE PROGRAMS\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI) released the following statement on the passage of H.R. 6500, The Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027, with bipartisan support. This bill includes a two-year extension of the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement Act (HOPE Act) and the Haiti Economic Lift Program Act (HELP Act), as well as the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). Both programs, which are set to expire at the end of 2026, would be extended through December 31, 2028. The legislation, which was passed by the U.S. Senate on August 8, 2026, now proceeds to the President's desk to be signed into law:\n\n\"This is the certainty that Haitian workers, families, and their partners in American industry have been waiting for. After these programs lapsed last fall and were restored for fifteen months, we have finally given them a runway. Today's vote gives Haiti's apparel sector and its American partners two more years of certainty to plan and invest.\n\n\"I am proud to have worked alongside my colleagues on the Ways and Means Committee in the drafting of the reauthorization of HOPE/HELP, in particular Ranking Member Neal, Chairman Smith, Ranking Member Sanchez, and Dr. Murphy. This vital program sustains manufacturing jobs in Haiti and secures a reliable, nearby supply chain for American apparel companies.\n\n\u201cHaiti continues to face compounding humanitarian, political, and economic crises. The security emergency has displaced over 1.4 million Haitians and left half the country's population experiencing life-threatening hunger. The apparel sector remains the foundation of Haiti's economy and its most reliable source of formal employment, making uninterrupted duty-free access to the U.S. market essential to any path toward stability.\n\n\"Haiti is our strategic ally, and U.S. support for its apparel sector is mutually beneficial. Haitian apparel manufacturing utilizes U.S. cotton and plays an essential role in shifting supply chains out of China and into the Western Hemisphere.\n\n\"The same is true of AGOA. For twenty-six years, AGOA has been the foundation of America's economic partnership with sub-Saharan Africa, providing duty-free access to more than 1,800 products and building commercial relationships that support American exporters, American consumers, and our national security interests. Extending these programs before they lapsed protects existing trade relationships as well as the American and African businesses that depend on them.\n\n\"I will continue to emphasize the importance of U.S. trade engagement with both Haiti and our AGOA partners in sub-Saharan Africa. This extension gives American manufacturers and investors the predictability they need \u2014 certainty that these trade preferences will remain in place, supply chains will stay stable, and sourcing decisions can be made with confidence.\u201d", 1, "2026-09-02T09:19:58Z", "2026-09-02T09:20:51Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6113", "USDA APPROVES DISASTER DESIGNATION FOR U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS DUE TO DROUGHT", "2026-08-20", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland\n\nAugust 20, 2026 202-808-6129\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nUSDA APPROVES DISASTER DESIGNATION FOR U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS DUE TO DROUGHT\n\nU.S. Virgin Islands \u2013 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI) today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) designated St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John as primary natural disaster areas due to ongoing drought conditions across the Territory. Farm operators on all three islands are now eligible to apply for emergency loan assistance through the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA), following the designation issued on August 20, 2026, by Deputy Under Secretary Brooke S. Appleton on behalf of USDA.\n\nThe designation \u2014 number 2026N00002336 \u2014 covers the entire Territory due to severe drought conditions recorded by the U.S. Drought Monitor. In 2019, as a result of Congresswoman Plaskett\u2019s advocacy with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Drought Monitor expanded to include the U.S. Virgin Islands. In addition to providing a general summary of current drought conditions, the U.S. Drought Monitor can trigger eligibility for permanent drought disaster relief programs. Until the drought monitor was extended to the Virgin Islands under Congresswoman Plaskett, farmers and others would be unable to receive drought support.\n\n\u201cOur farmers have carried the weight of this drought for months, and this designation is a critical first step toward getting them the relief they need,\u201d said Congresswoman Plaskett. \u201cAgriculture is a vital part of our Territory\u2019s food security and our economy. I will continue fighting to make sure Virgin Islands farmers have every federal resource available to recover and rebuild. My office has been, and will continue to be, in close contact with the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture and USDA to support our agriculture community.\u201d\n\nCongresswoman Plaskett added, \u201cI extend my appreciation to the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture Commissioner, Dr. Louis Petersen, as well as Governor Bryan and his Administration for their advocacy on behalf of our agricultural community. This disaster designation, which unlocks federal relief for our local farmers and ranchers, reflects their commitment to the Virgin Islands.\u201d\n\nFarm operators in the designated areas may be considered for FSA emergency loans, provided eligibility requirements are met. Farmers have eight months from the date of the Secretarial disaster declaration to apply. Each application is considered individually by FSA, based on the extent of production losses and the applicant\u2019s security and repayment ability.\n\nVirgin Islands farmers seeking assistance are encouraged to contact the local USDA Farm Service Agency office:\n\nUSDA Farm Service Agency \u2013 U.S. Virgin Islands\n\nSion Farm Shopping Center\n\nPhone: (340) 773-9146, ext. 100\n\nFor more information, you may also contact Congresswoman Plaskett\u2019s offices on St. Croix at 340-778-5900 or St. Thomas at 340-774-4408.\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-26T05:33:32Z", "2026-08-26T05:34:56Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6112", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF ISIDORE \u201cI.G.\u201d GRILES, JR.", "2026-08-18", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland\n\nAugust 18, 2026 202-808-6129\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF ISIDORE \u201cI.G.\u201d GRILES, JR.\n\nU.S. Virgin Islands \u2014 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI) today released the following statement on the passing of Isidore \"I.G.\" Griles, Jr.:\n\n\"I was saddened to learn of the passing Mr. Griles. He was a son of Frederiksted who carried our town with him in everything he did. His life was one spent close to family, close to community, and close to the music that shaped him. Mr. Griles always had a pleasant word to share and smile to give. He carried our culture in his kindness and in the music he played alongside other culture-bearers. He would often visit my office in Frederiksted and share with my team snippets of Virgin Islands history from his black and white composition book. He will be deeply missed.\n\n\"On behalf of the people of the Virgin Islands, I extend my sincere condolences to his daughter, his entire family, and to the many friends and fellow musicians who are grieving him today. May they be held up by prayer and by the memories he leaves behind.\"", 1, "2026-08-19T05:29:02Z", "2026-08-19T05:30:24Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6110", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT CONGRATULATES USVI NIKE RBI 18U GIRLS SOFTBALL TEAM ON WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP", "2026-08-14", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland\n\nAugust 14, 2026 202-808-6129\n\nPress Release\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT CONGRATULATES USVI NIKE RBI 18U GIRLS SOFTBALL TEAM ON WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP\n\nU.S. Virgin Islands \u2013 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett today congratulated the United States Virgin Islands Nike RBI 18U Girls Softball Team on winning the 2026 Nike RBI Softball 18U World Series, defeating Houston 3-1 in Thursday's championship game.\n\n\"These young women did an outstanding job and came out triumphant as World Series Champions,\u201d said Congresswoman Plaskett. \"They represented our Territory against teams backed by Major League Baseball's biggest organizations, and they did it with the heart, discipline, and unity that define who we are.\n\n\u201cI would like to extend a special thank you to Head Coach Elroy Hill and Assistant Coaches Richard Clendinen, Brock Creque, and Inocenia Bermudez, for their tireless work in training and mentoring our young women.\"\n\nThe team, sponsored by the Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation, secured its berth in the World Series by winning the 2026 Nike RBI Softball 18U Caribbean Regionals on June 24. The USVI was one of eight teams competing, the only team representing a U.S. territory.\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-15T05:23:20Z", "2026-08-15T05:24:50Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6104", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT MOURNS PASSING OF VIRGIN ISLANDS' CULTURAL ICON BRADLEY CHRISTIAN", "2026-08-08", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland\n\nAugust 8, 2026 202-808-6129\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT MOURNS PASSING OF VIRGIN ISLANDS' CULTURAL ICON BRADLEY CHRISTIAN\n\nU.S. Virgin Islands \u2013 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett released the following statement on the passing of Bradley Christian, a Virgin Islands cultural icon celebrated for his mastery of the traditional head wrap and his role in shaping the territory's official madras:\n\n\"Today, the Virgin Islands lost a true keeper of our culture. Bradley Christian spent his life carrying forward traditions passed down through generations. He was known far beyond our shores for his beautifully crafted head wraps, but Bradley's gift was never just in the craft itself. It was in his deep understanding of the history, heritage, and meaning behind every head wrap, our food, storytelling, quelbe, quadrille - the many elements of our islands. Bradley Christian reminded us to love ourselves and our history - that we are a tapestry of beautiful people. His hand also helped shape the official madras of the Virgin Islands, a symbol our people wear with pride,\u201d said Congresswoman Plaskett.\n\n\"Bradley was one of our territory's cultural icons, and we are forever grateful for his contributions. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, his children, his grandchildren, and all his loved ones and friends during this difficult time. May they find comfort in knowing how deeply his legacy is felt across the Virgin Islands,\" Congresswoman Plaskett concluded.\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-09T05:47:57Z", "2026-08-09T05:49:40Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6103", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT'S STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT TRUMP\u2019S EXECUTIVE ORDERS ON BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP", "2026-08-07", "2026", "2026-08", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland\n\nAugust 7, 2026 202-808-6129\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT'S STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT TRUMP\u2019S EXECUTIVE ORDERS ON BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP\n\nU.S. Virgin Islands \u2013 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI) released the following statement regarding the Executive Orders titled \u201cContinuing to Protect the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship\u201d and \u201cEnding Birth Tourism\u201d signed on August 6, 2026, by President Donald Trump:\n\n\u201cFollowing the Supreme Court's June 30, 2026, decision in Trump v. Barbara, which upheld birthright citizenship generally while permitting narrower exceptions, yesterday President Trump issued Executive Orders that expand restrictions on birthright citizenship. The Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution grants citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States. Birthright citizenship exists for people born in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands because of federal statutes enacted by Congress. This remains unchanged by yesterday\u2019s Executive Orders.\n\n\u201cThe \u2018Continuing to Protect the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship\u2019 Executive Order applies in cases where a child is born in the United States or a territory while neither parent is a United States citizen and any of the following applies: those with a parent designated as a terrorist, those with a parent employed by a foreign government, those born through a birth-tourism or surrogacy arrangement undertaken to secure citizenship, or those born in a United States territory where citizenship is not conferred by federal statute.\n\n\u201cThe territorial provision of the Executive Order does not touch the Virgin Islands today. Under current federal statute, people born in Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands are recognized as citizens, while those born in American Samoa are not \u2013 they are United States nationals. The provision in the Executive Order currently applies to American Samoa, which does not have a citizenship statute, and it would apply automatically to any other territory if Congress later repealed or narrowed the statute that grants citizenship.\n\n\u201cThis provision raises serious concerns regarding precedent and represents a troubling escalation in this Administration's approach to birthright citizenship in the territories \u2013 which should not be in question. Our office has joined amici briefs cited in the Supreme Court by Justice Brown Jackson to protect territorial birthright citizenship.\u201d\n\nCongresswoman Plaskett continues to advocate the longstanding legal principle that citizenship follows the land - that territory owned by the US confers citizenship. She said, \u201cI will continue to work with my colleagues to defend the statutory protections in place for the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-08-08T05:41:38Z", "2026-08-08T05:43:24Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6101", "PLASKETT MEETS WITH GOVERNOR BRYAN, VIRGIN ISLANDS LEGISLATURE ON HUD FUNDING FREEZE", "2026-07-24", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland\n\nJuly 24, 2026 202-808-6129\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nPLASKETT MEETS WITH GOVERNOR BRYAN, VIRGIN ISLANDS LEGISLATURE ON HUD FUNDING FREEZE\n\nU.S. Virgin Islands \u2014 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI) today is meeting with Governor Albert Bryan Jr. and members of the Virgin Islands Legislature regarding the notice from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on the freeze of federal funding to the territory. The Congresswoman sent letters to HUD and the Governor\u2019s office regarding the matter this week.\n\n\u201cThis morning I will be meeting with Governor Bryan and members of the Virgin Islands Legislature regarding the notice from HUD on the freeze of funding,\u201d said Congresswoman Plaskett. \u201cI\u2019ve shared with the Governor conversations I have had with Republican leadership in Congress regarding this issue that stand ready to support our efforts to create a plan acceptable to HUD.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur office has been in contact with Congressional leadership, and I stand ready to work with the Governor in any way to ensure that we have a plan that creates the accountability and mechanism that will put our federal resources to work for the people,\u201d Plaskett concluded.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-25T07:13:44Z", "2026-07-25T07:15:09Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6098", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO HONOR TWO VIRGIN ISLANDERS WHO MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE FOR OUR NATION", "2026-07-22", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland\n\nJuly 22, 2026 202-808-6129\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMANPLASKETT INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO HONOR TWO VIRGIN ISLANDERS WHO MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE FOR OUR NATION\n\nU.S. Virgin Islands \u2014 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI) released the following statement today regarding the introduction of two bills to name the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Community Based Outpatient Clinics on St. Thomas and St. Croix in honor of two Virgin Islanders who gave their lives in service to our country:\n\n\u201cToday, I am pleased to introduce two bills to name VA facilities in the Virgin Islands in honor of Virgin Islands veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. The St. Thomas Community Based Outpatient Clinic will be named the \u2018Sergeant First Class Floyd E. Lake Department of Veterans Affairs Community Based Outpatient Clinic\u2019 and the St. Croix Community Based Outpatient Clinic will be named the \u2018Lieutenant Colonel David C. Canegata III Department of Veterans Affairs Community Based Outpatient Clinic,\u2019\u201d said Congresswoman Plaskett.\n\n\u201cDirector Patrick Farrell and the team at the Virgin Islands Office of Veterans Affairs deserve recognition for bringing this matter to our office. Their engagement was instrumental in moving these bills forward. If enacted, these namings would stand as a lasting tribute, ensuring that Sergeant First Class Lake and Lieutenant Colonel Canegata are never forgotten, and that every veteran who walks through the doors of these clinics is reminded of the courage of those who came before them,\" Congresswoman Plaskett continued.\n\nDirector Farrell shared the following statement:\n\n\"Today's introduction of legislation to honor Lieutenant Colonel David C. Canegata III and Sergeant First Class Floyd E. Lake by naming the Virgin Islands Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (VA Clinics) in their memory marks an important step toward preserving the legacy of Virgin Islands Veterans, and a testament that we are sincerely grateful for the service of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. For me, this initiative is deeply personal. I had the privilege of knowing both David and Floyd, and while history will rightly remember them as fallen heroes, I will always remember them as friends, fellow Soldiers, and proud Virgin Islanders whose lives embodied honor, humility, and selfless service. It is my hope that every Veteran, family member, employee, and visitor who enters these clinics in the years ahead will be reminded of their sacrifice and inspired by their enduring legacy. I am grateful to the Office of Delegate to Congress Stacey E. Plaskett for advancing this meaningful effort and helping to move this vision one step closer to becoming a lasting tribute.\"\n\n\u201cSergeant First Class Floyd E. Lake and Lieutenant Colonel David C. Canegata III were exemplary Virgin Islanders who each made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. We remember their lives and their service with solemn gratitude, and we honor their memory so that others may follow their example and answer the call to duty,\u201d Congresswoman Plaskett concluded.\n\nSergeant First Class Lake and Lieutenant Colonel Canegata deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, in 2006 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. On January 20, 2007, Sergeant First Class Lake and Lieutenant Colonel Canegata, along with 10 other soldiers, were killed when their UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crashed near Baghdad, Iraq.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-23T07:31:02Z", "2026-07-23T07:32:26Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6099", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT'S LEGISLATION HONORING PETER G. THURLAND, SR. ADVANCES THROUGH NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE", "2026-07-22", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Alayah Phipps\n\nJuly 22, 2026 202-813-2793\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT'S LEGISLATION HONORING PETER G. THURLAND, SR. ADVANCES THROUGH NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE\n\nU.S. Virgin Islands \u2014 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI) announced that the House Committee on Natural Resources advanced H.R. 8121, legislation to designate the Christiansted Bandstand as the \"Peter G. Thurland, Sr., Bandstand.\" Today\u2019s markup follows a hearing held by the House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Federals Lands on July 1, 2026. Congresswoman Plaskett issued the following statement:\n\n\"This is meaningful progress to ensure that the contributions of Peter Gregory Thurland, Sr. to the Virgin Islands are never forgotten. The Christiansted Bandstand stands today because of his hands and vision. Renaming the Bandstand in his honor ensures that every person who walks past it, and every musician who ever plays on it, will know whose legacy they are standing on.\n\n\"Mr. Thurland was a master craftsman, a bandleader, a mentor, and a U.S. Navy veteran. I thank my colleagues on the House Natural Resources Committee for unanimously advancing this bill. This legislation was first championed by Congressman Ron de Lugo in the 103rd Congress, and I am proud to continue this effort to have Peter G. Thurland, Sr.'s name take its rightful place on a landmark he helped create.\n\n\u201cThe bill must now be considered on the floor of the House of Representatives before proceeding to the U.S. Senate, and ultimately the President\u2019s desk for signature.\u201d\n\nH.R. 8121 honors the life and legacy of Peter Gregory Thurland, Sr., born in 1892 in Christiansted, St. Croix. On March 31, 1917, Mr. Thurland played with the Christiansted Industrial Brass Band at the transfer ceremony on the Christiansted Wharf. Just a few years after the transfer of the Virgin Islands from Denmark to the United States, Mr. Thurland joined the U.S. Navy Band, and helped build the very bandstand where he would later perform for decades.\n\nIn 1938, Mr. Thurland founded the St. Croix Community Band, an institution that has trained generations of local musicians. Through free monthly concerts, the band has given the Christiansted waterfront its enduring soundtrack.\n\nThe legislation designates the bandstand located at the Christiansted National Historic Site in St. Croix as the \"Peter G. Thurland, Sr., Bandstand\" and directs that any reference to the bandstand in federal law, regulation, or documentation be treated as a reference to its new name.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-23T07:31:02Z", "2026-07-23T07:32:26Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6094", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF CLAUDETTE \"ADJOA\" HINDS", "2026-07-20", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Alayah Phipps\n\nJuly 20, 2026 202-813-2793\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF CLAUDETTE \"ADJOA\" HINDS\n\nU.S. Virgin Islands \u2014 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI) released the following statement on the passing of Claudette \"Adjoa\" Hinds of the U.S. Virgin Islands:\n\n\"Our Virgin Islands community is mourning the loss of Claudette 'Adjoa' Hinds, a woman whose life and legacy touched many across our territory. Ms. Hinds' passing leaves a void that will be felt by her family, her friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing her.\n\n\"I extend my condolences and prayers for peace to her family and loved ones.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-21T07:32:02Z", "2026-07-21T07:33:33Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6095", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT STATEMENT ON H.R. 9724 AND THE CITIZENSHIP RIGHTS OF RESIDENTS OF THE U.S. THE TERRITORIES", "2026-07-20", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland\n\nJuly 20, 2026 202-808-6129\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT STATEMENT ON H.R. 9724 AND THE CITIZENSHIP RIGHTS OF RESIDENTS OF THE U.S. THE TERRITORIES\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (VI) issued the following statement regarding H.R. 9724, legislation introduced by Congressman Morgan Griffith (VA-9), which contains language to strip automatic U.S. citizenship from children born in the U.S. territories beginning in 2027:\n\n\u201cProtecting the citizenship and constitutional rights of the people of the United States territories is among the most important work of my office. This commitment led me to recruit two former Solicitors General \u2014 colleagues of mine from the Department of Justice (DOJ) \u2014 to argue the citizenship cases on behalf of American Samoans before the Supreme Court (Fitisemanu v. United States). Subsequently, I led hearings in Congress examining the Insular Cases and their continuing harm to the people of the United States territories. That same commitment compelled me to co-lead a bipartisan, bicameral letter \u2014 signed by 43 Members of Congress \u2014 that pushed the DOJ, under the Biden-Harris Administration, to formally repudiate the racist foundations of those cases, a standard that remains DOJ policy today. It has led me to author resolutions in the House of Representatives affirming the rights of the people of the U.S. territories. This year, I led an amicus brief filed in the Supreme Court\u2019s recent birthright citizenship case, Trump v. Barbara, which was quoted by Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. I know this history, and I know what is at stake.\n\n\"While Congressman Griffith states H.R. 9724 would solely remove \u201cbirth tourism\u201d in actuality, the bill would strip automatic U.S. citizenship from children born in Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands beginning in 2027. Its sweeping language could leave children born in the U.S. territories citizens of nowhere. The bill relies on the Insular Cases for its authority, a body of law built on openly racist reasoning which the DOJ previously renounced.\n\n\"This bill is divisive, it is racist in its foundation, and it is corrosive of the principles of American law. It fits a broader pattern in Congressman Griffith's record of measures that diminish Black and brown people.\n\n\"To be clear\u2014this bill has not attracted a single cosponsor. It has no discernible path to consideration, particularly given the calendar of inaction the Majority has laid out, but we do not dismiss it. We do note that the Vice President has said this is an idea the Administration is 'looking at,' and we take that seriously.\n\n\"My office is working with our Republican and Democratic territorial colleagues, and with members on the Judiciary and Natural Resources Committees that hold jurisdiction, to monitor this bill closely. The nearly four million Americans who call the U.S. territories home are entitled to the full dignity of their citizenship, and I will continue to defend it.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-21T07:32:02Z", "2026-07-21T07:33:33Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6097", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT'S STATEMENT ON VIRGIN ISLANDS HOUSING FINANCE AUTHORITY FUNDING SUSPENSION BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT", "2026-07-20", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland\n\nJuly 20, 2026 202-808-6129\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT'S STATEMENT ON VIRGIN ISLANDS HOUSING FINANCE AUTHORITY FUNDING SUSPENSION BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Congressw\n\noman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI) released the following statement today regarding the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) decision to immediately suspend disaster recovery funding to the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority (VIHFA):\n\n\"I am in receipt of a copy of the notice to the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority (VIHFA) from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regarding the suspension of future participation in procurement and non-procurement transactions pending an investigation. This represents the freezing (not withdrawal) of federal funding. This is a de facto \u201cdebarment\u201d restriction of one agency\u2019s, VIHFA, ability to use the funds.\n\n\u201cUpon receipt of the notice, my office and I immediately contacted the leadership of the committee of jurisdiction \u2013 the House Committee on Financial Services, our White House Liaison, the HUD leadership team and others in Washington, D.C. We learned that HUD leadership repeatedly warned the local government about their management of HUD funding and the lack of controls, specifically a high percentage of funds used for administrative costs and insufficient spending on projects.\n\n\u201cIt would appear that this is not a new issue but one that the Bryan Roach Administration has not given sufficient effort to effectively resolve. The notice from HUD makes strong allegations that VIHFA not only violated its obligation to distribute and manage taxpayer funds but also, \u2018made false statements regarding its financial management controls and safeguards against conflict of interest.\u2019 The notice clearly states that the money is not being taken away but that VIHFA is being suspended from making use of the resources. The money is not being spent.\n\n\u201cCommunity Development Block Grant (CDBG) HUD funding, both Disaster Relief (CDBG-DR) and Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) represents a complicated program under which the Government of the Virgin Islands has been unable to use the resources. The position of HUD is that there have not been enough financial controls, procurement has not been done properly, and payments have not been made timely. The funding in this program affects not just housing but ultimately much of the local match needed for many rebuilding projects, including the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority, schools, hospitals, etc.\n\n\u201cThe table below is not a full representation of the delay. For example, in the first table seen below, which discusses Program Areas and lists Public Facilities, 477 of 572 have been completed. Those, however, represent small projects which only account for less than 20% of all funding amounts. We have not spent our funding quickly or efficiently and the local government is being called to task.\n\n\u201cThis notice begins a 30-day appeal process which will require a hearing for the Government of the Virgin Islands to present a \u201cdispute of material facts.\u201d In multiple discussions today with federal partners, agencies and Congressional staff, it is clear there must be a restructured turn around plan that meets the confidence of the federal government. To date, there have been several companies that have been engaged and should have the expertise and experience to develop a plan which meets the satisfaction of the federal government. Jacobs, Ernst and Young, and Witt O\u2019Brien\u2019s should be asked to provide pro bono support to create a plan that responds to the real concerns of the federal government. Our major contractors who have been contracted to partner in the rebuild with the Virgin Islands should be brought along in this process. Many have independent relationships with the Trump Administration and have seen other similar issues. As a plan is developed which removes authority from VIHFA and puts the entire program in a body which has more controls and oversight, the Governor should engage with and receive support from the Legislature of the Virgin Islands by bringing them along with our major contractors into the discussion, many of whom have worked on this in other jurisdictions.\n\n\u201cMy office will continue to be available to support and leverage our relationships in Washington, D.C. to ensure that we come to a resolution that advances the people of the Virgin Islands.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-21T07:32:02Z", "2026-07-21T07:33:33Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6093", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT MOURNS DEATH OF FOUR-YEAR-OLD BOY ON ST. CROIX", "2026-07-17", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland\n\nJuly 17, 2026 202-808-6129\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT MOURNS DEATH OF FOUR-YEAR-OLD BOY ON ST. CROIX\n\nSt. Croix, USVI \u2014 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI) released the following statement after the death of a four-year-old boy on St. Croix, who was rushed to Juan F. Luis Hospital after sustaining a gunshot wound Thursday evening and died despite emergency treatment:\n\n\"Today, our territory is grieving the loss of a baby\u2014a four-year-old boy whose life was taken far too soon. No family should ever have to bury a child, and no community should have to carry this kind of pain. My heart is broken for this little boy and for everyone who loved him.\n\n\"To his parents: I am deeply sorry. There are no words that can reach the depth of what you are feeling. Please know that we as a community are holding you close, and that you do not carry this grief alone. To his family, and to everyone who knew and loved this child, his grandparents, his siblings, his neighbors, his community, please lean on one another in the days ahead. Grief like this is not meant to be carried in silence.\n\n\"I want to thank the first responders and medical staff at Juan F. Luis Hospital who fought to save this child's life. We must continue to do everything in our power to keep our children safe.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-18T06:58:50Z", "2026-07-18T07:31:57Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6092", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT STATEMENT ON THE 21ST CENTURY ROAD TO HOUSING ACT BECOMING LAW", "2026-07-16", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland\n\nJuly 16, 2026 202-808-6129\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT STATEMENT ON THE 21ST CENTURY ROAD TO HOUSING ACT BECOMING LAW\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-USVI) issued the following statement after the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act became law, following the expiration of President Trump's ten-day window to sign or veto the bipartisan legislation:\n\n\"The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act authorizes the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery program for three years and establishes a dedicated Long-Term Disaster Recovery Fund in the Treasury Department. For the people of St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John, who know all too well what it means for Congress to pass one-off recovery funding after a storm has already taken everything, this is not an abstract policy win. It means faster resources, fewer bureaucratic delays, and a program that exists before disaster strikes rather than one we have to fight to rebuild from scratch every hurricane season.\n\n\"This law also removes the requirement that manufactured homes be built on a permanent chassis, a change that will lower construction costs and open up new design options for families in the Virgin Islands who rely on manufactured and modular housing to recover after a storm. It also directs the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) to study how building codes and financing can expand modular construction, and reauthorizes the PRICE grant program for seven years for the repair, preservation, and improvement of existing manufactured homes and manufactured home communities.\n\n\u201cThe 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act also strengthens financing for families trying to rebuild their homes. It creates a Whole-Home Repairs pilot program to provide grants and forgivable loans directly to homeowners and landlords for repairs and modifications, and a small-dollar mortgage pilot at the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) to expand access to loans under $100,000. It also raises the loan limits on FHA-insured manufactured housing loans, so families can finance the full cost of the homes many of them depend on.\n\n\"This bill passed both chambers of Congress with large bipartisan majorities. It reflects the work of members on both sides of the aisle, including a new Treasury program pairing larger banks with Minority Depository Institutions and rural banks, and streamlined chartering rules to help new community banks form in underserved areas.\n\n\"The people of the Virgin Islands do not have the luxury of treating disaster recovery as a political football. We have lived through Hurricanes Irma and Maria. We know what it costs a family, a business, a whole community, when Washington drags its feet. This law does not fix every inequity faced by the Virgin Islands, but it is a meaningful step toward the kind of dependable disaster recovery infrastructure the Virgin Islands has needed for generations.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-17T07:15:58Z", "2026-07-17T07:17:05Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6091", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES ON PASSING OF ATTORNEY MICHAEL JOSEPH", "2026-07-14", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland\n\nJuly 14, 2026 202-808-6129\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES ON PASSING OF ATTORNEY MICHAEL JOSEPH\n\nU.S. Virgin Islands \u2013 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett released the following statement on the passing of Attorney Michael Joseph:\n\n\"I was saddened to hear of the passing of Attorney Michael Joseph, a man whose life reflected a genuine passion for the law and a deep commitment to serving the people of St. Croix. Attorney Joseph dedicated his career to the practice of law in the community he called home, and his work touched the lives of countless Virgin Islanders who sought his counsel and trusted his judgment.\n\n\"Beyond his legal practice, Mr. Joseph was an author who took on the difficult but necessary task of chronicling a painful and pivotal moment in Virgin Islands history, ensuring that our stories, however hard to tell, are never forgotten. He also served our community through his work on the Board of Elections, helping to safeguard the democratic process for the people of the Virgin Islands.\n\n\"Mr. Joseph's legacy as a jurist, historian, and public servant will continue to be felt throughout our community for years to come. I offer my prayers for peace and extend my deepest condolences to the Joseph family and all who knew and loved him during this difficult time.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-15T07:12:08Z", "2026-07-15T07:13:45Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6090", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT'S LEGISLATION TO HONOR VIRGIN ISLANDS MUSIC LEGEND PETER G. THURLAND, SR. ADVANCES IN HOUSE NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE", "2026-07-06", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland\n\nJuly 6, 2026 202-808-6129\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT'S LEGISLATION TO HONOR VIRGIN ISLANDS MUSIC LEGEND PETER G. THURLAND, SR. ADVANCES IN HOUSE NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI) announced today that the House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Federals Lands held a hearing on H.R. 8121, legislation to designate the Christiansted Bandstand in Christiansted, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, as the \u201cPeter G. Thurland, Sr., Bandstand.\u201d The hearing marks a significant step forward for legislation that would permanently honor one of St. Croix\u2019s cultural figures and cement his legacy in the very landmark he helped build.\n\n\u201cLast week\u2019s hearing before the House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Federal Lands is an important milestone in our effort to ensure that Peter G. Thurland, Sr.\u2019s contributions to the Virgin Islands are never forgotten,\u201d said Congresswoman Plaskett. \u201cMr. Thurland helped construct the Christiansted Bandstand with his own hands, performed there in service to his country, and then spent decades pouring his talents back into the community by training generations of young Virgin Islands musicians. I am hopeful this legislation will continue moving through the process so that we can deliver this long-overdue recognition.\u201d\n\nH.R. 8121 honors the life and legacy of Peter Gregory Thurland, Sr., born on February 19, 1892, in Christiansted, St. Croix. Shortly after the transfer of the Virgin Islands from Denmark to the United States, Mr. Thurland enlisted in the United States Navy on June 12, 1917, serving as a member of the Navy Band. He was instrumental in the construction and design of the Christiansted Bandstand and performed there with the Christiansted Naval Band until his honorable discharge in September 1921.\n\nIn 1938, Mr. Thurland founded the St. Croix Community Band, training generations of young musicians who performed free monthly concerts at the Christiansted Bandstand for three decades. He led the band until 1968, when he passed the baton to his son. Beyond music, he was known across the Virgin Islands as a master craftsman and skilled cabinetmaker whose contributions to St. Croix\u2019s civic and cultural life remain immeasurable.\n\n\u201cThe Thurland family is honored with the naming of the Christiansted Bandstand for our grandfather Peter G. Thurland Sr.,\u201d said Karen Thurland, granddaughter of Mr. Peter G. Thurland, Sr. \u201cNot only was he part of the building of the bandstand with the Christiansted enlisted U.S. Navy men, he also played with the Christiansted Industrial Brass Band at the transfer ceremony on the Christiansted Wharf on March 31, 1917. Peter G. Thurland Sr., besides being a musician, was a master joiner, educator, and family man who made many contributions to the St. Croix community.\u201d\n\nThe legislation was first championed by Congressman Ron de Lugo in the 103rd Congress. The hearing held last week represents the furthest the bill has advanced in its history.\n\n\u201cOur story as Virgin Islanders is not only written in textbooks, it is woven into the places we gather, the music we play, and the people who gave so much of themselves to build the communities we live in today. Peter G. Thurland, Sr. is one of those people,\u201d Congresswoman Plaskett concluded. \u201cPreserving and honoring stories like his is how we ensure that the next generation of Virgin Islanders knows where they come from and who stood before them.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-07T08:20:12Z", "2026-07-07T08:22:09Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6089", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT COMMEMORATES EMANCIPATION DAY AND AMERICA'S 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF INDEPENDENCE", "2026-07-02", "2026", "2026-07", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Alayah Phipps\n\nJuly 2, 2026 202-813-2793\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT COMMEMORATES EMANCIPATION DAY AND AMERICA'S 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF INDEPENDENCE\n\nU.S. Virgin Islands \u2014 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-USVI) issued the following statement commemorating Virgin Islands Emancipation Day and the 250th Anniversary of American Independence:\n\n\"Two hundred and fifty years ago, this nation declared to the world that all men are created equal, that governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed. That declaration, signed in Philadelphia on July 3rd, 1776, drove the principal goals of the American Revolution. 72 years later, enslaved men and women of the Danish West Indies rose up for their own freedom from chattel slavery and received their own proclamation of emancipation in Frederiksted on St. Croix, on July 3, 1848.\n\n\"That emancipation did not come from the grace of an empire. It came because our ancestors demanded it. They rose up, refused the conditions of their bondage, and pressed on the gates of freedom until they were opened. The men and women who marched that day did not wait to be given their freedom, they insisted upon it. That is the legacy we inherit and the spirit we carry into every fight.\n\n\"Today, as America celebrates 250 years of independence and Virgin Islanders mark another Emancipation Day, we must recognize that these two anniversaries are inseparable. The Virgin Islands of the United States is inextricably tied to the history of this nation, from Alexander Hamilton, who spent his formative years on St. Croix studying banking and who risked\n\neverything to throw off colonial rule, to our strategic position safeguarding the Caribbean Basin.\n\n\"In 1917, the United States purchased our islands from Denmark, not for the benefit of the people, but for the protection of the Caribbean Basin. The $25 million in gold bullion to purchase the islands was sent to Copenhagen not for the people of the island. And yet, we have fought in every American conflict, produced revolutionaries, statesmen and creators, and carried the full responsibilities of citizenship without the full benefits being extended to us.\n\n\"More than a century later, that inequity persists. My constituents pay federal taxes. They serve in the military at higher rates per capita than most states. They bleed for our flag. And yet they cannot vote for President. They have limited representation in Congress. They are told, in effect, that their consent does not count, that the words etched into the Declaration of Independence do not fully apply to them.\n\n\"On this semiquincentennial, I do not celebrate 250 years of American democracy as if it has been equally shared, but I also refuse to surrender to cynicism. The same spirit that drove our ancestors to the fort at Frederiksted is the spirit that drives me to fight on behalf of every Virgin Islander as their member of Congress. The cause of full equality for the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands is not a Democratic issue or a Republican issue. It is an American issue. Colonial rule was wrong in 1776, and it remains wrong today.\n\n\"To every Virgin Islander: let Emancipation Day remind you of the courage that runs in your veins. Let the 250th anniversary of this nation remind you that the work of building a more perfect union is not finished. Our people are not a footnote to American history. We are woven into its very foundation, and we will not stop fighting until democracy means what it says.\n\n\"Blessed Emancipation Day and Happy Fourth of July.\"\n\nIn observance of Emancipation and Independence Day, the district offices of Congresswoman Plaskett on St. Croix and St. Thomas, as well as the Washington, D.C. office, will be closed on Friday, July 3, 2026, and Friday, July 4, 2026. All offices will reopen on Monday, July 6, 2026.\n\nFor assistance, please call 202-225-1790 (Washington, D.C.), 340-778-5900 (St. Croix), or 340-774-4408 (St. Thomas). Messages left will be responded to when the offices reopen on Monday, July 6, 2026.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-03T08:00:00Z", "2026-07-03T08:01:30Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6087", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT\u2019S ST. THOMAS OFFICE TO CLOSE FOR ST. JOHN COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EVENTS", "2026-06-30", "2026", "2026-06", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland\n\nJune 30, 2026 202-808-6129\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT\u2019S ST. THOMAS OFFICE TO CLOSE FOR ST. JOHN COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EVENTS\n\nU.S. Virgin Islands \u2014 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-USVI) announces that her St. Thomas district office will be closed on the following dates as staff participates in community engagement events on St. John:\n\n\u00b7 Tuesday, June 30 \u2014 Closed all day\n\n\u00b7 Wednesday, July 1 \u2014 Closed from 12:00 p.m.\n\n\u00b7 Thursday, July 2 \u2014 Closed from 12:00 p.m.\n\nDuring this time, Congresswoman Plaskett's team will be on St. John for a series of community-centered events, including a Congress on Your Corner on Tuesday, June 30, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Franklin A. Powell Sr. Bandstand in Cruz Bay, followed by Congressional Listening Sessions on Wednesday, July 1, 4:00pm to 6:00pm at Our Place in Coral Bay and Thursday, July 2, 4:00pm to 6:00pm at Meada's Plaza in Cruz Bay.\n\nThese events are an opportunity to hear directly from the people of St. John \u2014 your concerns, your priorities, and your vision for our community. Congresswoman Plaskett's office is committed to ensuring that every voice is heard and that the issues that matter most are reflected in the work done in Congress. All residents are encouraged to come out and be a part of the conversation.\n\nFor questions or assistance during office closure, constituents may contact the Washington, D.C. office at (202) 225-1790 or the St. Croix district office at (340) 778-5900.\n\n###", 1, "2026-07-01T06:34:07Z", "2026-07-01T06:35:35Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6088", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT CONDEMNS SUPREME COURT RULING STRIPPING PROTECTIONS FROM HAITIAN TPS HOLDERS", "2026-06-27", "2026", "2026-06", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland\n\nJune 27, 2026 202-808-6129\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT CONDEMNS SUPREME COURT RULING STRIPPING PROTECTIONS FROM HAITIAN TPS HOLDERS\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI) released the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court issued a 6-3 ruling in Mullin v. Dahlia Doe and Trump v. Miot, clearing the way for the Trump administration to strip Temporary Protected Status (TPS) from more than 350,000 Haitian nationals and approximately 6,000 Syrian nationals currently living and working legally in the United States.\n\nThe ruling comes after Congresswoman Plaskett, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (D-Massachusetts), Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, and their colleagues spent months fighting to preserve these protections. In 2025, Congresswoman Plaskett led a congressional letter with 48 colleagues urging the former Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem to extend TPS for Haitian nationals. Earlier this year, Congresswoman Plaskett assisted in whipping votes for House passage of H.R. 1689, legislation to require DHS to restore Haiti\u2019s TPS designation through April 2029. That bill now awaits action in the Senate.\n\n\u201cThis decision, while deeply disappointing, is ultimately unsurprising from a Court that has repeatedly placed a regressive-activist-conservative agenda above the rule of law. The Supreme Court has handed the Trump Administration unchecked authority to remove legal protections from hundreds of thousands of people who came here lawfully, registered with the government, passed background checks, paid taxes, and built lives in this country,\u201d said Congresswoman Plaskett. \u201cHaitian TPS holders contribute nearly $6 billion to the U.S. economy each year and pay $1.56 billion in taxes \u2013 funding programs they cannot even access. More than 20 percent work in healthcare, including as nursing assistants and caregivers. Sending them back to a country the State Department warns Americans not to visit due to gang violence, kidnapping, and instability is not policy. It is cruelty and short-sighted.\u201d\n\nCongresswoman Plaskett continued, \u201cI am also troubled by the Court\u2019s refusal to seriously grapple with the record of racial animus underlying this decision. Federal judges found that the administration\u2019s actions were likely motivated by documented hostility toward Black and Haitian immigrants. Justice Kagan said plainly in dissent that there is no dispute these individuals will suffer irreparable harm. She is right.\u201d\n\nCongresswoman Plaskett added, \"Congress created TPS over 35 years ago, on a bipartisan basis, because we agreed that we should not send people back to war, disaster, and death \u2014 particularly individuals within our own hemisphere who, by working in the United States, create some level of economic support for neighboring countries that, without the support of those TPS holders, may utterly collapse. The House has already acted. I call on the Senate to move H.R. 1689 without delay. These families deserve the protection of the law, and I will continue fighting to ensure they have it.\u201d", 1, "2026-06-28T06:32:11Z", "2026-06-28T06:33:41Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6086", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT ANNOUNCES OFFICE CLOSURES IN OBSERVANCE OF JUNETEENTH", "2026-06-18", "2026", "2026-06", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Alayah Phipps\n\nJune 18, 2026 202-813-2793\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT ANNOUNCES OFFICE CLOSURES IN OBSERVANCE OF JUNETEENTH\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 In observance of Juneteenth National Independence Day, the district offices of Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett on St. Croix and St. Thomas, as well as the Washington, D.C. office, will be closed on Friday, June 19, 2026. All offices will reopen on Monday, June 22, 2026.\n\n\"Juneteenth is a testament to the enduring resilience and power of Black people in this country. It is a reminder that freedom, when it finally came, was carried forward not by those in power, but by the courage of a people who refused to let their humanity be erased. As we mark this day, we must do more than celebrate, we must commit to preserving the culture, the history, and the stories that have shaped who we are. From the shores of West Africa to the fields of Galveston to the hills of the Virgin Islands, our story is one of survival, brilliance, and an unbreakable will to thrive,\" shared Congresswoman Plaskett.\n\n\"To every community, every family, and every individual honoring this day, I wish you a meaningful and joyful Juneteenth. May we always remember where we came from, so we never lose sight of where we are going.\"\n\nFor assistance, please call 202-225-1790 (Washington, D.C.), 340-778-5900 (St. Croix), or 340-774-4408 (St. Thomas). Messages left will be responded to when the offices reopen on Monday, June 22, 2026.\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-19T06:50:32Z", "2026-06-19T06:53:40Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6084", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES ON PASSING OF VIRGIN ISLANDS RADIO PERSONALITY SAM TOPP", "2026-06-15", "2026", "2026-06", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland\n\nJune 15, 2026 202-808-6129\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES ON PASSING OF VIRGIN ISLANDS RADIO PERSONALITY SAM TOPP\n\nU.S. Virgin Islands \u2014 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI) issued the following statement:\n\n\"The Virgin Islands has lost one of its most trusted and enduring voices. For nearly two decades, Sam Topp showed up for this community every morning, as a radio broadcaster, and a man deeply committed to the people, politics, and the pulse of these islands. Topp Talk was more than a radio program. It was a public square, a place where Virgin Islanders could speak, be heard, and stay informed.\n\nSam brought integrity, passion, and an unwavering love for the Virgin Islands to every broadcast. He understood that a microphone in the right hands is a powerful tool, and he used his with purpose and care.\n\nOur community will feel his absence deeply. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, his colleagues and all those who loved him.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-16T06:53:21Z", "2026-06-16T06:55:02Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6085", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT ANNOUNCES RESOLUTION FOR WATER SPIRIT 2, RESTORING VITAL CARGO SERVICE TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS", "2026-06-15", "2026", "2026-06", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Alayah Phipps\n\nJune 15, 2026 202-813-2793\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT ANNOUNCES RESOLUTION FOR WATER SPIRIT 2, RESTORING VITAL CARGO SERVICE TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS\n\nU.S. Virgin Islands \u2014 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI) announced today that the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has authorized Water Spirit Freight Services\u2019 vessels, Admiral Pride and Water Spirit 2, to resume operations under new berthing arrangements at the Pier 14 extension in San Juan, coordinated with the Puerto Rico Ports Authority (PRPA). The authorization allows for the restoration of critical cargo service for Virgin Islands residents and businesses following weeks of sustained advocacy by her office at the federal level.\n\nIn May of 2026, USCG issued orders imposing docking restrictions on Water Spirit 2 and Admiral Pride, barring both from re-entering San Juan Harbor until a compliant berthing arrangement could be identified. For the U.S. Virgin Islands, the practical effect was an immediate disruption to the cargo lifeline connecting St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John, and San Juan. Congresswoman Plaskett's office engaged immediately, holding multiple meetings with USCG Headquarters, USCG Southeast District, and USCG Sector San Juan, as well as ongoing coordination with PRPA Director Negr\u00f3n to ensure that the territory's interests and the impact on Virgin Islands residents were fully communicated to the relevant authorities.\n\n\"As soon as my office was made aware of the disruption of service to the Virgin Islands and that there were potentially federal agencies impacting Virgin Islands business, we reached out to the owner of Water Spirit and the US Coast Guard,\u201d said Congresswoman Plaskett. \"Virgin Islanders cannot afford supply chain disruptions \u2014 not for a day, not for a week. My office worked at every level of the Coast Guard and with the Puerto Rico Ports Authority, and we remained at the table until the full impact on the Virgin Islands was considered and our constituents received the timely federal response they deserve.\"\n\n\"The people of the Virgin Islands deserve the same reliable access to goods and commerce that any American community expects,\" Congresswoman Plaskett continued. \"Our territory's geographic reality means that freight disruptions have immediate, fundamental life consequences \u2014 on grocery store shelves, on small businesses, on families. We will always fight to protect that lifeline.\"\n\nCongresswoman Plaskett's office will remain in contact with the Coast Guard, the Puerto Rico Ports Authority, and Water Spirit Freight Services to ensure a smooth and sustained return to full service.\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-16T06:53:21Z", "2026-06-16T06:55:02Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6082", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES ON PASSING OF FORMER US POSTAL SERVICE POSTMASTER IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, LOUIS JACKSON", "2026-06-12", "2026", "2026-06", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland\n\nJune 12, 2026 202-808-6129\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES ON PASSING OF FORMER US POSTAL SERVICE POSTMASTER IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, LOUIS JACKSON\n\nU.S. Virgin Islands \u2013 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett today expressed her condolences to the family, friends, and former colleagues of Louis A. Jackson, the former Virgin Islands Postmaster, who passed away recently.\n\n\"Louis Jackson embodied what public service looks like at its best \u2014 steady and rooted in community,\" said Congresswoman Plaskett. Under his leadership, the post offices where he served were hubs of connection, information, and care, which reflected the man at its helm. His door would often swing open and he would talk and listen to the community.\n\n\u201cMr. Jackson's service earned national recognition. He was a three-time recipient of the Benjamin Franklin Award \u2014 the highest public relations honor conferred by the U.S. Postal Service \u2014 receiving the award for the third consecutive year in 2005, one of only 28 postal leaders nationwide so honored that year. Under his leadership, the Frederiksted Post Office placed first in the Caribbean District in the National Play the Zone competition, a testament to the standard of excellence he set throughout his career.\n\n\"My prayers go out to his family and loved ones. May he rest in eternal peace.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-13T06:32:19Z", "2026-06-13T06:34:27Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6075", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT RECOGNIZES NATIONAL CARIBBEAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH", "2026-06-09", "2026", "2026-06", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Alayah Phipps\n\nJune 9, 2026 202-813-2793\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT RECOGNIZES NATIONAL CARIBBEAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 This June, Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI) reaffirms her commitment to the Caribbean American community in recognition of National Caribbean American Heritage Month. Congresswoman Plaskett serves as a co-lead on H. Res. 547 alongside Congresswoman Yvette Clarke and Congressman Andr\u00e9 Carson. The resolution recognizes the enduring contributions of Caribbean Americans to the history, culture, and progress of the United States.\n\n\"Throughout our history, Caribbean Americans have served our country and contributed to the culture of the United States through the arts, science, education, business, sports, military, and government,\" said Congressman Andr\u00e9 Carson (IN-07). \u201cI was proud to join my colleagues in introducing a resolution to highlight the significance of National Caribbean American Heritage Month and honor the invaluable influence Caribbean Americans have had in the United States.\"\n\n\"In observance of Caribbean-American Heritage Month, we celebrate our diversity, honor our legacy, and strengthen our unity. Above all, this month recognizes the resilience, contributions, and extraordinary achievements of Caribbean Americans across generations,\u201d said Rep. Clarke. \"As a proud woman of Jamaican descent, I am honored to represent those who came to the United States in pursuit of opportunity, as well as their descendants who continue to build upon their sacrifices while preserving the rich cultural values that shape the American story. That is why I am proud to co-sponsor the National Caribbean American Heritage Month Resolution with my colleagues in Congress.\"\n\n\"Caribbean Americans have shaped this nation in ways that are too often overlooked,\" said Congresswoman Plaskett. \"From Alexander Hamilton, Malcolm X to Colin Powell and Sonia Sotomayor, from the arts to the military, Caribbean Americans have been woven into the very fabric of what makes this country great. As a proud Virgin Islander serving in Congress, I am honored to stand alongside my colleagues in formally recognizing this legacy.\"\n\nThe resolution highlights that more than 13 million people in the United States were born in or have ancestry from the Caribbean and acknowledges the Caribbean diaspora's centuries-long contributions across every sector of American life \u2014 including business, science, education, government, and the armed forces. It also recognizes the cultural richness Caribbean Americans bring to communities across all 50 states through music, food, art, and tradition.\n\n\"The Virgin Islands is America\u2019s sovereign soil in the Caribbean, our people have always understood the strength that comes from this shared heritage,\" Congresswoman Plaskett continued. \u201cAs Virgin Islanders living in the heart of the Caribbean, we know that this resolution is a reminder that our diversity is not a footnote \u2014 it is a foundation.\"\n\nThe resolution has been referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and has garnered support from Members across the country.\n\nThe following Members of Congress have cosponsored this resolution: Reps. Beatty, Bell, Cherfilus-McCormick, D. Davis, Figures, Frost, Goldman, Hernandez, Holmes Norton, Horsford, J. Jackson, H. Johnson, McBride, McIver, Mfume, Pou, D. Scott, Simon, Soto, Tlaib, B. Thompson, Torres, Vel\u00e1zquez, Waston Coleman, Wasserman Schultz, N. Williams, F. Wilson", 1, "2026-06-10T06:36:00Z", "2026-06-10T06:37:32Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6076", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT EXPRESSES SUPPORT FOR MAYOR JERRY DEMINGS AND CONGRESSWOMAN VAL DEMINGS FOLLOWING THE MAYOR\u2019S GUBERNATORIAL RACE SUSPENSION", "2026-06-09", "2026", "2026-06", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Alayah Phipps\n\nJune xx, 2026 202-813-2793\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT EXPRESSES SUPPORT FOR MAYOR JERRY DEMINGS AND CONGRESSWOMAN VAL DEMINGS FOLLOWING THE MAYOR\u2019S GUBERNATORIAL RACE SUSPENSION\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-USVI) today issued the following statement in response to Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings' announcement that he is suspending his campaign for Florida Governor after receiving a cancer diagnosis:\n\n\"My heart goes out to Jerry and Val Demings as they face this challenging chapter. Jerry Demings has spent decades in public service \u2014 as a law enforcement officer, as Sheriff, and as Mayor of Orange County \u2014 dedicating his life to the safety and wellbeing of his community. Former Congresswoman Val Demings is one of the most committed public servants I have had the privilege of serving alongside in Congress. Together, they represent the very best of what it means to show up for the people you serve.\n\n\"No campaign, no office, no title matters more than health and family. I am keeping Jerry, Val, and their entire family in my prayers as they walk through this time. I have no doubt that the same strength and resilience that has defined their decades of service will carry them through this as well. The people of Florida and this nation are better because of the work they have both done, and I am honored to call them friends.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-10T06:36:00Z", "2026-06-10T06:37:32Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6079", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT SECURES COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING ACROSS THREE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS BILLS FOR THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS", "2026-06-09", "2026", "2026-06", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland\n\nJune 9, 2026 202-808-6129\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT SECURES COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING ACROSS THREE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS BILLS FOR THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI-AL) announced today that all nineteen Community Project Funding (CPF) requests she submitted on behalf of the U.S. Virgin Islands have been included across three Fiscal Year 2027 House Appropriations bills \u2014 covering health care, housing and economic development, and rural infrastructure, representing a total of $15,890,000 in requested federal investment.\n\n\"These Community Project Funding requests represent real investments in the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands \u2014 in their health, their homes, their livelihoods, and their future,\" said Congresswoman Plaskett. \"From expanding health care access on St. Croix and St. Thomas to strengthening rural infrastructure and supporting economic development across our territory, each of these projects a priority our office identifies, championed, and fought to include. I am proud of my office\u2019s work to secure the inclusion of these requests, and I will continue fighting to see every single one of these projects signed into law.\"\n\n\"The appropriations process is long, and each bill must be marked up by the Committee, considered and passed by the House of Representatives, then passed by the Senate, and ultimately signed by the President before it becomes law. However, inclusion of the projects in the base bill at this stage is a meaningful and hard-won step that reflects the strength of the needs our community has articulated,\" Congresswoman Plaskett continued. \"I am grateful to the members of the House Appropriations Committee for their support of the work of my office and recognition of the Virgin Islands' priorities. My team and I will remain engaged every step of the way.\"\n\nAgriculture, Rural Development, and Related Agencies\n\nAll six projects Congresswoman Plaskett submitted under the Rural Community Facilities Program were included in the bill's Community Project Funding table, totaling $3,740,000 in federal investment:\n\n\u00b7 Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture, St. Croix \u2013 $803,000 for the VIDA Agricultural Infrastructure Cistern Project;\n\n\u00b7 Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture, St. Croix \u2013 $375,000 for the La Reine Farmers' Market Enhancement Project;\n\n\u00b7 Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture, St. Thomas \u2013 $375,000 for the Sanderilla Thomas Bungalow Farmers' Market Enhancement Project;\n\n\u00b7 Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority, St. Thomas / St. John \u2013 $537,000 for the VIWMA Compact Garbage Trucks Project;\n\n\u00b7 Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority, St. Croix \u2013 $825,000 for the VIWMA Anguilla Landfill Specialty Equipment Project; and\n\n\u00b7 Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority, St. Thomas \u2013 $825,000 for the VIWMA Bovoni Landfill Specialty Equipment Project.\n\nThe Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2027 passed the House of Representatives on June 4, 2026.\n\nTransportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD)\n\nAll six projects Congresswoman Plaskett submitted under the HUD Economic Development Initiative account were included in the bill's Community Project Funding table, totaling $6,100,000 in federal investment:\n\n\u00b7 Virgin Islands Department of Sports, Parks & Recreation, St. Croix \u2013 $2,000,000 for DSPR Athletic Village and Sports Complex Site Preparation and Development;\n\n\u00b7 Virgin Islands Next Generation Network, St. Croix \u2013 $1,250,000 for the VI Senior and Youth Technology Learning Center;\n\n\u00b7 University of the Virgin Islands Research and Technology Park, St. Croix \u2013 $1,000,000 for the UVI RTPark Youth Agripreneur Farm and Resource Center;\n\n\u00b7 Virgin Islands Department of Health, St. Croix \u2013 $850,000 for the Virgin Islands Supportive Recovery Housing and Crisis Response Project;\n\n\u00b7 Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority, St. John \u2013 $500,000 for the Emergency Response and Community Resilience Facility; and\n\n\u00b7 Virgin Islands Department of Public Works, St. Thomas \u2013 $500,000 for the St. Thomas Step Street Revitalization project.\n\nThe Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2027 was approved by the Appropriations Committee on June 3, 2026.\n\nLabor, Health and Human Services, and Education (LHHS)\n\nAll seven projects Congresswoman Plaskett submitted under the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Wide Activities and Program Support account were included in the bill's Community Project Funding table, totaling $6,050,000 in federal investment:\n\n\u00b7 Frederiksted Health Care, Inc., St. Croix \u2013 $1,000,000 for the Ingeborg-Nesbitt Health Center Renovation and Modernization Project;\n\n\u00b7 St. Thomas East End Medical Center Corporation, St. Thomas \u2013 $1,000,000 for the STEEMCC Healthcare Infrastructure and Access Expansion Project;\n\n\u00b7 Government of the Virgin Islands \u2013 $1,300,000 for the USVI Healthcare IT Infrastructure and Integrity Project;\n\n\u00b7 Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center, St. Croix \u2013 $750,000 for the JFL Advanced MRI Imaging Expansion Project;\n\n\u00b7 Schneider Regional Medical Center, St. Thomas \u2013 $2,000,000 for:\n\no Charlotte Kimelman Cancer Institute PET/CT Diagnostic Imaging Expansion Project;\n\no SRMC Clinical Laboratory Infrastructure and Diagnostic Capacity Project; and\n\no SRMC Patient Care and Emergency Response Infrastructure Project.\n\nThe Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2027 has a full Appropriations Committee markup today, June 9, 2026.\n\nCongresswoman Plaskett encourages constituents who want to learn more about these projects or the federal appropriations process to visit the FY 27 Community Project Funding Requests page on her website.\n\n###", 1, "2026-06-10T06:36:00Z", "2026-06-10T06:37:32Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6073", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT MOURNS THE PASSING OF JAZZ LEGEND SONNY ROLLINS", "2026-05-29", "2026", "2026-05", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Alayah Phipps\n\nMay 29, 2026 202-813-2793\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT MOURNS THE PASSING OF JAZZ LEGEND SONNY ROLLINS\n\nU.S. Virgin Islands \u2014 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett released the following statement on the passing of saxophone legend Sonny Rollins:\n\n\"The world has lost one of the greatest jazz musicians of our time, and the Virgin Islands has lost one of its most celebrated sons. Sonny Rollins was born to parents who carried the spirit of these islands with them to New York City, and that spirit never left him. You could hear it in every note he played.\n\n\"From the streets of Harlem to concert stages around the world, Sonny Rollins transformed jazz into something deeply personal and alive. His 1956 masterpiece Saxophone Colossus, with its Caribbean-rooted 'St. Thomas', stands as one of the greatest recordings in American music history. He was a towering figure who played alongside Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Thelonious Monk, and yet he always remained connected to where he came from.\n\n\"The Virgin Islands community takes deep pride in his legacy. He is proof of what our people carry within us\u2014creativity, resilience, and a commitment to excellence that knows no limits. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, his loved ones, and the countless musicians and fans whose lives he touched. May he rest in eternal peace.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-05-30T06:11:53Z", "2026-05-30T06:13:24Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6074", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT MOURNS THE PASSING OF COACH ARTHUR 'JIMO' JAMISON", "2026-05-29", "2026", "2026-05", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Alayah Phipps\n\nMay 29, 2026 202-813-2793\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT MOURNS THE PASSING OF COACH ARTHUR \"JIMO\" JAMISON\n\nU.S. Virgin Islands \u2014 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett released the following statement on the passing of former Charlotte Amalie High School Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Arthur \"Jimo\" Jamison Sr.:\n\n\"The Virgin Islands has lost one of its great pillars. Coach Arthur 'Jimo' Jamison was more than a coach, he was a builder of people. For decades, he walked the halls and fields of Charlotte Amalie High School not simply to win games, but to shape young men and women into disciplined, driven, and purposeful human beings. His work was never just about athletics. It was always about life.\n\n\"Jimo arrived on St. Thomas in 1962 and made these islands his home and his mission. As athletic director, head football coach, and the Interscholastic Athletic Association's territorial tackle football commissioner, he set a standard of excellence that extended far beyond any scoreboard. He saw potential in young people before they could see it in themselves, and he refused to let them settle for less.\n\n\"The stories of students he guided to college scholarships, of athletes he called back home to contribute to their community, of young people he steadied simply by being present are his true legacy. The Virgin Islands is full of doctors, educators, coaches, and professionals who carry a piece of Jimo with them every single day.\n\n\"To his children Tracey, Stacey, Arthur 'Aree' Jr., and Aixa, and to all who loved him, Jonathan and I extend our deepest condolences. Coach Jamison gave 91 years of life, and he used them well. May he rest in eternal peace.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-05-30T06:11:53Z", "2026-05-30T06:13:24Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6071", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT MOURNS THE PASSING OF MABLE BRADY", "2026-05-26", "2026", "2026-05", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland\n\nMay 26, 2026 202-808-6129\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT MOURNS THE PASSING OF MABLE BRADY\n\nU.S. Virgin Islands \u2013 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI) today released the following statement on the passing of Mable Brady:\n\n\u201cI was saddened to hear of the passing of Mable Brady, matriarch of the Brady family on St. Croix. Alongside her husband, Allan Brady, Sr., Mrs. Mable opened Brady's Restaurant in the late 1960s, building it into one of the most treasured and award-winning establishments in Christiansted. For many years, she stood at the heart of its kitchen, feeding our community with food and love. Brady\u2019s Restaurant also served as a meeting place for my family for decades. Mrs. Mable cooked well into the early 2000s, a testament to her devotion and her joy in the craft.\n\n\u201cAbove all, she was a devoted mother and grandmother, a faithful friend, and a constant source of kindness to all who had the privilege of knowing her. I extend my heartfelt condolences to her children, grandchildren, and all who loved her. She will be deeply missed but never forgotten.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-05-27T06:38:34Z", "2026-05-27T06:40:17Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6070", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT ENGAGED ON WATER SPIRIT FREIGHT DISRUPTION AFFECTING VIRGIN ISLANDS SUPPLY CHAIN", "2026-05-15", "2026", "2026-05", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland\n\nMay 15, 2026 202-808-6129\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT ENGAGED ON WATER SPIRIT FREIGHT DISRUPTION AFFECTING VIRGIN ISLANDS SUPPLY CHAIN\n\nU.S. Virgin Islands \u2014 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-USVI) is actively engaged with federal authorities and the Puerto Rico Ports Authority following docking restrictions imposed on Water Spirit Freight Services V.I., Inc., a St. Croix-based cargo carrier that has provided island-to-island freight service across the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and the broader Caribbean for more than two decades.\n\nWe all recognize this disruption poses a direct concern for Virgin Islands residents and businesses who depend on Water Spirit's freight service for the timely movement of goods between St. Croix, St. Thomas, Tortola, and San Juan.\n\nCongresswoman Plaskett's office reached out directly to the U.S. Coast Guard and has remained in continuous contact with USCG and the Puerto Rico Ports Authority. The office has also reached out to Water Spirit to help determine what the best path forward is\u2014pursuing all forms of engagement to ensure that the Virgin Islands has a voice in these discussions as authorities work toward a resolution.\n\n\"Virgin Islanders depend on reliable cargo service \u2014 this is not an abstract maritime matter, it is a supply chain issue that affects real people and real businesses in our territory,\" said Congresswoman Plaskett. \"My office has also reached out to our own local port authority for additional support. We will continue to monitor developments and continue our advocacy for a resolution that protects the uninterrupted flow of goods to and from our territory.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-05-16T06:05:00Z", "2026-05-16T06:06:37Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6069", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES ON PASSING OF FORMER SENATOR PEDRO \u201cPETE\u201d ENCARNACION", "2026-05-11", "2026", "2026-05", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland\n\nMay 11, 2026 202-808-6129\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES ON PASSING OF FORMER SENATOR PEDRO \u201cPETE\u201d ENCARNACION\n\nU.S. Virgin Islands \u2013 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI) today released the following statement on the passing of former Senator Pedro \"Pete\" Encarnacion:\n\n\"I was saddened to hear of the passing of former Senator Pete Encarnacion. He was a man of deep faith and genuine kindness with a dedication to service in our community. Raised in a strong family with deep Virgin Islands roots, Pete was someone who showed up, served, and gave everything he had to the people of St. Croix.\n\n\"His life was one of dedication across every role he took on. He rose through the ranks of the Virgin Islands Fire Service from firefighter to director and brought a genuine love of community to every assignment. As a senator in the 26th Legislature, he chaired the Committee on Public Safety, Homeland Security and Justice at a time when gun violence was ravaging our communities. He answered that moment with the same calm, steady resolve that defined everything he did.\n\n\"Pete was a dedicated public servant, a devoted husband and father, and by every account, a man of quiet strength, deep faith, and an open heart. The Virgin Islands is better for his service.\n\n\"My prayers and deepest condolences go to his wife Janie, his children, Kimberly and Khyle, and the many lives he touched.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-05-12T06:07:57Z", "2026-05-12T06:09:10Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6068", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT RESPONDS TO REPORT OF MULTIPLE GUNSHOTS IN FREDERIKSTED", "2026-05-09", "2026", "2026-05", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland\n\nMay 9, 2026 202-808-6129\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT RESPONDS TO REPORT OF MULTIPLE GUNSHOTS IN FREDERIKSTED\n\nSt. Croix, USVI \u2014 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI) today released the following statement in response to a report of over 100 gunshots fired in Frederiksted, St. Croix:\n\n\"The ongoing violence in our territory weighs heavily on me. Every incident is a painful reminder of how much work remains for us.\n\n\"Frederiksted holds a very special place in my heart and in the work of my office. We have seen this town endure years of neglect and deterioration \u2014 and we have also seen the resilience of the people who refuse to give up on it. I am continually inspired by the residents, business owners, advocates, and community members who show up every single day committed to making the town of Frederiksted better. My team and I stand with you, as we always have.\n\n\u201cThroughout my time in Congress, my team and I have consistently advocated for public safety, community investment, and regional security across the territory. Public safety begins long before a crime is committed, and I worked to ensure that USVI youth-serving organizations like the Caribbean Centers for Boys & Girls received $1 million in community project funding in 2024 to support effective youth programming. Organizations like these provide safe spaces, mentorship, and wraparound services for at-risk youth and are an integral part of violence prevention. I will continue to champion federal funding for community-based organizations on the front lines of violence prevention in the Virgin Islands.\n\n\u201cI have also fought to restore and protect federal behavioral health grants, including SAMHSA funding and secured $141,000 for Project Cultiv8te's after-school gun violence intervention programming for at-risk youth, $857,000 for St. Clair Institute, and $788,000 for Bush Tea and Therapy Foundation. I understand that trauma, untreated mental illness, and lack of behavioral health infrastructure are significant drivers of community violence.\n\n\u201cAdditionally, I have long advocated for equipping the Virgin Islands Police Department with the resources necessary to address the unique security challenges of a Caribbean territory. This includes securing $3.9 million in federal funding to purchase three marine enforcement vessels to assist with drug-trafficking interdiction and safety patrols in the territory's waters.\n\n\"Frederiksted and our entire territory deserves safety, investment, and the full attention of every level of government. I will continue to fight for nothing less.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-05-10T06:06:32Z", "2026-05-10T06:07:48Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6048", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT SECURES AQUACULTURE STUDY PROVISION FOR VIRGIN ISLANDS IN HOUSE-PASSED FARM BILL", "2026-05-07", "2026", "2026-05", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland\n\nMay 7, 2026 202-808-6129\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT SECURES AQUACULTURE STUDY PROVISION FOR VIRGIN ISLANDS IN HOUSE-PASSED FARM BILL\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI) announces the inclusion of her amendment directing the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study identifying locations in the U.S. Virgin Islands suitable for the development of aquaculture small businesses in the Farm Bill (H.R. 7567), which passed in the U.S. House of Representatives on April 30, 2026.\n\nThe amendment requires the Agriculture Secretary to complete the study within 180 days of enactment and mandates consultation with the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources. The study will assess water quality, coastal access, infrastructure needs, and applicable environmental and regulatory requirements, laying critical groundwork for the growth of a sustainable aquaculture economy in the Territory.\n\n\"The Virgin Islands has everything it takes to be a leader in aquaculture \u2014 our waters, our geography, our people. What we have lacked is the federal investment and infrastructure assessment needed to turn that potential into real economic opportunity for our small business owners and our community. This study is a meaningful step toward ensuring that the Virgin Islands is not left out of the blue economy, and is the outgrowth of discussions with John Farchette while he was with the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR). I am excited about the possibility of deep-sea farming for export, the potential development of high-value fisheries (crustaceans) and mechanisms for effective sargassum management here in the Virgin Islands. I will continue to fight to make sure that federal resources and federal attention reach our shores,\" said Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett.\n\nTerritorial aquaculture leaders welcomed the amendment as a turning point for the industry. Mr. Farchette, a leading voice on marine aquaculture development in the Virgin Islands, offered the following statement:\n\n\"Thank you to the Delegate and her staff for the opportunity to comment on this most important subject. Aquaculture and mariculture in our region would go a long way to ensuring our economic future in the U.S. Virgin Islands. We are uniquely fortunate to have and be surrounded by the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone. We currently have a seafood trade deficit of $20 billion dollars annually \u2014 most of that from China, India, and Ecuador. Promoting marine aquaculture helps in the resiliency of coastal areas, creates meaningful employment, grows our economic future, and brings a new industry to the U.S. Virgin Islands.\n\n\u201cExportation of manufactured seafood products to the U.S. market would offset that trade deficit we currently have with Asian countries and Ecuador, shared Mr. Farchette. \u201cOur waters can produce 25% more biomass than areas currently being fish farmed in the United States, and we have unique incentives to promote the exportation of manufactured products from the Virgin Islands. The U.S. Virgin Islands has established rules and regulations to govern this new industry and a VI 5-Year Aquaculture Plan pursuant to Act 6471 \u2014 we are currently the only Caribbean territory under the U.S. flag to have done so. We look forward to working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Department of the Interior, the Department of Commerce, NOAA's Office of Aquaculture, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Coast Guard, and other federal institutions to ensure that our environment and public health are protected as this industry grows. Again, we would like to thank Delegate Stacey Plaskett for her invaluable support over the years. God bless the United States of America and the people of the United States Virgin Islands.\"\n\nThe Farm Bill passed the House on April 30, 2026, and now moves to the U.S. Senate for consideration. If passed, it will proceed to the President's desk to be signed into law.\n\n###", 1, "2026-05-08T05:46:43Z", "2026-05-08T05:48:09Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6047", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT MOURNS THE PASSING OF FORMER SENATOR RONALD RUSSELL", "2026-05-06", "2026", "2026-05", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland\n\nMay 6, 2026 202-808-6129\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT MOURNS THE PASSING OF FORMER SENATOR RONALD RUSSELL\n\nU.S. Virgin Islands \u2014 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett released the following statement on the passing of former Senator Ronald E. Russell:\n\n\"It is with a heavy heart that I share my deepest condolences on the passing of former Senate President Ronald E. Russell Esq., a man whose life was a testament to the profound impact one person can have on an entire community.\n\n\"Ronald Russell was, in every sense, a son of these islands. Raised by his beloved grandmother, the legendary educator Eulalie Rivera, he carried her commitment to education and community throughout his life. His public service was deeply shaped by his roots in Frederiksted, his education as an attorney, as an athlete representing his home, and a belief in service to Virgin Islanders at every level of government. From his work as legal counsel to the Board of Education, the Public Services Commission, the Coastal Zone Management, and the Judicial Ethics Commission, to his distinguished tenure in the Legislature, culminating in his service as Senate President of the 29th Legislature, Senator Russell gave the best of himself to his people.\n\n\"As Delegate to Congress, I was proud to work alongside him as he demonstrated his intellectual rigor and deep humanity. His passing leaves a void in our public life.\n\n\"To his wife, Royette, his children, his family, his colleagues at the V.I. Bar, and the community of Frederiksted that shaped him and that he served so faithfully, please know that you are in my and Jonathan's prayers. May God grant you comfort and peace, and may Senator Russell's legacy continue to inspire the next generation of Virgin Islanders called to serve. May he rest in eternal peace.\"", 1, "2026-05-07T13:38:59Z", "2026-05-07T13:40:28Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6046", "CONGRESSWOMAN\u00a0PLASKETT\u2019S STATEMENT ON HOUSE PASSAGE OF FARM BILL", "2026-05-01", "2026", "2026-05", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Alayah Phipps\n\nMay 1, 2026 202-813-2793\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT\u2019S STATEMENT ON HOUSE PASSAGE OF FARM BILL\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI) released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 7567, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026.\n\n\"The Farm Bill is an opportunity to stand with farmers and families who are struggling under the weight of rising input costs, skyrocketing grocery prices, reckless tariffs, and the economic strain the ongoing war. Unfortunately, the bill passed by House Republicans chose instead to cement the largest cuts to SNAP in history \u2014 $187 billion stripped from food assistance in H.R. 1 \u2014 while offering nothing to reverse the devastation already underway. More than 40 million Americans will see their benefits reduced or eliminated: 16 million children, 8 million seniors, 1.2 million veterans, and 4 million people with disabilities. Virgin Islanders who rely on SNAP \u2013 our children, elders, veterans and hard-working families will feel these cuts. This is not a policy choice. It is a moral failure.\n\n\"Rather than making food more affordable for working families, Republicans used the Farm Bill to override the will of voters by preempting state food production standards that were approved at the ballot box and upheld by the Supreme Court. And they gutted nearly $800 million from the Environmental Quality Incentives Program \u2014 one of the most essential tools farmers rely on to protect their land and manage rising costs.\n\n\"This bill also fails rural communities. It fails beginning farmers and farmers of color, key groups necessary for the future of farming in the Virgin Islands. It provides no new or additional funding for rural small business programs, strips legal set-asides for beginning farmers in USDA lending, and weakens the 2501 Program \u2014 the only USDA program specifically focused on supporting farmers of color. At a time when farm bankruptcies have surged 46 percent and USDA projects farm income to continue falling, this bill turns its back on the very people it claims to serve.\n\n\"For the U.S. Virgin Islands and the territories, I fought to deliver meaningful provisions to this bill. I am proud that included in the bill was my amendment which requires the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study identifying suitable locations in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam for the development of aquaculture small businesses, including assessments of water quality, coastal access, infrastructure needs, and applicable regulatory requirements. This support from the Department of Agriculture to the Virgin Islands aquaculture development will provide substantive support to the development of this industry. Aquaculture represents a real opportunity for economic growth and food security in the territories, and I will continue to push for these investments.\n\n\"But make no mistake \u2014 a Farm Bill that does not support to farmers of color (who have been disproportionately impacted by prior discriminatory policy) or programs which provide resources to new and emerging farmers does not deserve our support. Republicans have openly stated their intent to come back for even more SNAP cuts through future reconciliation packages. We cannot accept a bill that treats food assistance as an afterthought while families are paying $310 more for groceries than they were just a year ago, and fruit and vegetable prices have risen over five percent,\u201d continued Congresswoman Plaskett.\n\nCongresswoman Plaskett added, \"I urge my colleagues in the Senate to develop a better, bipartisan farm bill \u2014 one that provides real relief to farmers crushed by falling incomes and rising costs, restores food assistance protections for millions of vulnerable Americans, invests in our rural and territorial communities, and is worthy of the American people's trust.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-05-02T05:53:08Z", "2026-05-02T05:54:44Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6045", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT ANNOUNCES DISTRICT OFFICE CLOSURES FOR ST. THOMAS CARNIVAL BREAK", "2026-04-28", "2026", "2026-04", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland\n\nApril 28, 2026 202-808-6129\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT ANNOUNCES DISTRICT OFFICE CLOSURES FOR ST. THOMAS CARNIVAL BREAK\n\nU.S. Virgin Islands \u2014 In observance of the 2026 St. Thomas Carnival season, the district offices of Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett on St. Croix and St. Thomas will be closed beginning Wednesday, April 29 through Friday, May 1, 2026. All offices will be open on Monday, May 4, 2026.\n\n\u201cOur carnival and festival celebrations are where our ancestors' stories live. In every parade costume, every pan note, and every Jouvert morning and parade day rhythm echoing through the streets,\u201d shared Congresswoman Plaskett.\n\n\u201cI would like to thank every vendor, every performer, every organizer, and every volunteer who poured their energy into making this year\u2019s carnival possible. You are the backbone of this event, and we are grateful. Also, a very special thank you to our Virgin Islands Police Department and first responders for their service and for keeping us safe as we celebrate.\n\n\u201cHappy St. Thomas Carnival to all!\u201d\n\nFor immediate assistance during this time, please contact the Washington D.C. office via phone at 202-225-1790.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-29T06:03:53Z", "2026-04-29T06:05:09Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6044", "PRESS RELEASE - CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT MOURNS THE PASSING OF CONGRESSMAN DAVID SCOTT", "2026-04-22", "2026", "2026-04", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Alayah Phipps\n\nApril 22, 2026 202-813-2793\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT MOURNS THE PASSING OF CONGRESSMAN DAVID SCOTT\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett released the following statement on the passing of Congressman David Scott of Georgia:\n\n\"I am deeply saddened by the passing of my colleague and friend, Congressman David Scott. For more than two decades in the United States Congress \u2014 and nearly fifty years in public service \u2014 David dedicated his life to the people of Georgia and to the nation he loved.\n\n\"David was a trailblazer. Born on a farm in South Carolina and educated at Florida A&M University and the Wharton School of Business, he rose from humble beginnings to make history as the first Black chairman of the House Agriculture Committee. In that role, he fought to protect our farmers, strengthen nutrition programs, and secure critical funding for our Historically Black Colleges and Universities. His legacy on that committee alone touched millions of American families.\n\n\"As a fellow member of the Congressional Black Caucus, I witnessed firsthand David's unwavering commitment to lifting up communities too often overlooked. David understood that public service is not about title \u2014 it is about showing up for people.\n\n\"My prayers are with his wife Alfredia, his daughters Dayna and Marcye, his grandchildren, and the entire Scott family during this time of tremendous loss. The halls of Congress are quieter today, but David Scott's legacy of service, faith, and perseverance will endure for generations to come.\"", 1, "2026-04-23T05:48:52Z", "2026-04-23T05:50:10Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6042", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT HONORS THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF FORMER SENATOR JOHN A. BELL, SR.", "2026-04-21", "2026", "2026-04", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "U.S. Virgin Islands \u2014 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett released the following statement on the passing of former Senator John A. Bell, Sr.:\n\n\"I am deeply saddened by the passing of former Senator John A. Bell, Sr., a man whose life was a testament to the power of transformation, service, and unwavering love for the people of the Virgin Islands.\n\n\"Senator Bell's journey is one that will continue to inspire generations. From challenging beginnings, he rose through sheer determination and discipline to become a soldier, a counselor, a co-founder of the Mortar and Pestle and Unity Movement, and a six-term member of the Legislature of the Virgin Islands, where he served with distinction as both Vice President and Minority Leader. His was a life that proved beyond any doubt that one's circumstances do not dictate one's destiny.\n\n\"Throughout his decades of public service, Senator Bell championed justice, equality, and opportunity for all Virgin Islanders. He lifted up those around him, stood beside families in crisis, mentored young people, and worked tirelessly to shape a more just and equitable territory. His contributions are forever memorialized in the institution that bears his name, the John A. Bell Adult Correctional Facility on St. Croix, a fitting tribute to a man who believed deeply in redemption and second chances.\n\n\"On behalf of the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands, I extend my heartfelt condolences to former Senator Bell's family, his loved ones, and the many lives he touched throughout his remarkable journey. May his legacy of perseverance, compassion, and service continue to light the way for our community.\"", 1, "2026-04-22T05:46:42Z", "2026-04-22T05:48:06Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6043", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT OFFERS CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF SENATOR HUBERT L. FREDERICK'S MOTHER, PRIMROSE FRANCIS", "2026-04-21", "2026", "2026-04", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland\n\nApril 21, 2026 202-808-6129\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT OFFERS CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF SENATOR HUBERT L. FREDERICK'S MOTHER, PRIMROSE FRANCIS\n\nU.S. Virgin Islands \u2014 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett released the following statement on the passing of Primrose Francis, beloved mother of Senator Hubert L. Frederick:\n\n\"I am deeply saddened by the passing of Ms. Francis, the beloved mother of Senator Hubert L. Frederick. A mother's influence is immeasurable, and hers is evident in the strength and character of the family she leaves behind. Ms. Francis\u2019s commitment to raising a family grounded in faith, service, and love for community values is reflected in Senator Frederick's dedication to the people of St. Croix and the U.S. Virgin Islands.\n\n\"The loss of a mother leaves a void that nothing can fill. I ask our Virgin Islands community to lift the Frederick and Francis families in prayer as they navigate this profound loss and cherish the memories of a woman who meant so much to so many.\n\n\"On behalf of the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands, I extend my deepest sympathies to Senator Frederick, his siblings, and all who loved Ms. Francis. May her memory be a source of comfort and may the love of this community surround the family during this season of mourning.\"", 1, "2026-04-22T05:46:42Z", "2026-04-22T05:48:06Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6041", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT OFFERS CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF VIOLETTE ROACH BROWNE", "2026-04-20", "2026", "2026-04", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland\n\nApril 20, 2026 202-808-6129\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT OFFERS CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF VIOLETTE ROACH BROWNE\n\nU.S. Virgin Islands \u2014 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett released the following statement on the passing of Violette Roach Browne, beloved sister of Lieutenant Governor Tregenza A. Roach, Esq.:\n\n\"My heart goes out to Lieutenant Governor Roach and his entire family following the passing of his dear sister, Violette. I spoke personally with the Lieutenant Governor to offer my sincere condolences during this painful time.\n\n\"Violette was a cherished member of her family and community, and her loss is felt deeply by all who knew and loved her. As a big sister, she played an irreplaceable role in her family's life, and her absence will be profoundly felt.\n\n\"I ask our Virgin Islands community to keep the Roach family in their prayers, especially their mother, who bears the immeasurable grief of losing a daughter. There is no sorrow quite like that of a parent, and we pray that God grants her strength and peace in the days ahead.\n\n\"On behalf of the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands, I extend my deepest sympathies to Lieutenant Governor Roach, his brother Ian, their mother, and all who mourn Violette's passing. May her memory bring comfort and may the love of this community surround the family during this difficult season.\"", 1, "2026-04-21T05:46:59Z", "2026-04-21T05:48:34Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6040", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT CELEBRATES HOUSE PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION TO RESTORE TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS OF HAITIAN NATIONALS", "2026-04-17", "2026", "2026-04", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland\n\nApril 17, 2026 202-808-6129\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT CELEBRATES HOUSE PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION TO RESTORE TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS OF HAITIAN NATIONALS\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI) released the statement below following the U.S. House of Representatives' vote requiring the Secretary of Homeland Security to designate Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) until April 20, 2029.\n\nThe vote to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to designate Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) until April 20, 2029 follows the successful adoption of H. Res. 965, the Discharge Petition led by Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) to consider H.R. 1689. This marks a significant milestone in Congresswoman Plaskett's longstanding efforts to protect Haitian TPS holders. Congresswoman Plaskett assisted this week in whipping votes for passage of the legislation. The bipartisan vote comes after the Administration moved to revoke TPS from more than 350,000 Haitian nationals; protections that a federal court order has been keeping in place.\n\nCongresswoman Plaskett has been instrumental in Congress to defend these protections. In 2025, she led a congressional letter with 48 of her colleagues to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem urging the immediate extension of TPS for Haitian nationals, detailing the catastrophic humanitarian conditions on the island, including gang violence that has killed thousands of civilians and displaced over 1.4 million Haitians. Congresswoman Plaskett has continued to advocate for Haitian TPS holders through legislation, coalition building, and direct engagement with the Administration.\n\n\"Our immigrant neighbors and their children are not our enemies, and today this body affirmed that reality,\" said Congresswoman Plaskett. \"Haitian TPS holders contribute nearly $6 billion to the U.S. economy each year and annually pay $1.56 billion in taxes, as they are required to do, even though they are not eligible for the benefits that they directly help fund, like Social Security. For over 15 years, Haitian TPS holders have started families, built businesses, and contributed to communities throughout this country as teachers, caregivers, and more. Today's vote is a critical step toward restoring their protections.\"\n\nHaiti's TPS designation was first granted after the deadliest earthquake in the history of the Western Hemisphere killed hundreds of thousands and displaced more than a million Haitians. Despite these deep roots in American communities, President Trump stripped legal status from otherwise law-abiding Haitian nationals.\n\nCongresswoman Plaskett continued, \"It is notable that even members of the Trump Cabinet understand this reality and the profound negative consequences of this decision. According to HHS Secretary Kennedy, there is already a shortage of health care workers. A mass deportation of Haitians will worsen the caregiving crisis. More than 20 percent of Haitians in the United States work in healthcare and help comprise the 1 in 4 long-term care workers who are immigrants. This decision is counterproductive, and even one of the most questionable members of this Cabinet understands that reality.\"\n\nCongresswoman Plaskett continued, \"Arbitrarily stripping Temporary Protected Status from Haitians is cruel and unconscionable. It forces Haitian people to return to a nation in abject chaos. Congress took a stand against pulling the rug out from under our law-abiding neighbors. We must now see this bill through the Senate and to the President's desk.\"\n\nBACKGROUND: Discharge Petitions are a procedural tool that allow Members of Congress to bring to the House floor for consideration a public bill or resolution that has been referred to committee but not reported, once 218 Members have signed the petition. This allows the consideration of legislation outside of regular order, which is controlled by the Speaker of the House.\n\n###\n\nPictured below: Congresswoman Plaskett and Haitian Ambassador Lionel Delatour", 1, "2026-04-18T05:35:53Z", "2026-04-18T05:37:16Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6026", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF RICHARD SCHRADER", "2026-04-11", "2026", "2026-04", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland\n\nApril 11, 2026 202-808-6129\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES ON THE PASSING OF RICHARD SCHRADER\n\nSt. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands \u2014 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett today issued the following statement on the passing of Richard Schrader, beloved son of St. Croix, author, poet, and cultural icon of the U.S. Virgin Islands:\n\n\u201cThe Virgin Islands has lost one of its great storytellers and most devoted culture bearers. Richard Schrader spent his life making sure that who we are, including our traditions, our folklore, our history, would never be forgotten.\n\n\u201cFrom his early years on to his service in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, Mr. Schrader embodied the resilience and pride of the Virgin Islands people. After a distinguished career in law enforcement, he picked up a pen, and in doing so, gave our islands a voice that will endure for generations.\n\n\u201cOver nearly four decades and across twenty-eight books, Mr. Schrader catalogued our Virgin Islands traditions and folklore with extraordinary vividness and love. Works like St. Croix by Night, Notes of a Crucian Son, and In A Heartbeat: Stories of the Virgin Islands Army National Guard are not just books, they are our living memory. He was rightly honored as the Virgin Islands Humanities Council\u2019s Humanist of the Year and penned the 2003 Inaugural Poem, a testament to how deeply his words are an integral piece of the fabric of our community.\n\n\u201cMr. Schrader was a consummate gentleman. A reminder of Crucian men with quiet strength, tremendous capacity to give love and an enduring commitment to family, community and country. I will miss his kind words, his reassuring smile and the sense of safety, even in his advanced years, I would have when he was around or when his great niece Angeline Muckle Jabbar started, \u201cI spoke to my Uncle\u2026.\u201d\n\n\u201cI send my prayers for God\u2019s comfort and peace to his wife Claudette, his children, and all who loved him \u2014 the people of the Virgin Islands grieve with you. Mr. Schrader\u2019s stories will remain in our memories, reminding us of the pure strength and God-given grace of Virgin Islanders.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-12T05:43:33Z", "2026-04-12T05:44:50Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6013", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO HONOR VIRGIN ISLANDS MUSIC LEGEND PETER G. THURLAND, SR.", "2026-04-03", "2026", "2026-04", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland\n\nApril 3, 2026 202-808-6129\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO HONOR VIRGIN ISLANDS MUSIC LEGEND\n\nPETER G. THURLAND, SR.\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-USVI) shared the following statement on the introduction of H.R. 8121, legislation to designate the Christiansted Bandstand, located on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, as the ''Peter G. Thurland, Sr., Bandstand'':\n\n\"Peter G. Thurland, Sr. was a giant in the St. Croix community as a master craftsman, a dedicated musician, a proud veteran, and a tireless champion of the arts. He helped build the Christiansted Bandstand with his own hands, performed there throughout his military service, and spent decades ensuring the next generation of Virgin Islands musicians had a stage on which to shine. It is a profound honor to introduce this legislation to permanently affix his name to a landmark he helped create and loved deeply.\"\n\nBorn on February 19, 1892, in Christiansted, St. Croix, Peter Gregory Thurland, Sr. was a celebrated trombone and baritone horn player who devoted his life to musical excellence. Shortly after the transfer of the Virgin Islands from Denmark to the United States, Mr. Thurland joined the United States Navy on June 12, 1917, serving as a proud member of the Navy Band. He was instrumental in the construction and design of the Christiansted Bandstand, where he performed with the Christiansted Naval Band until his honorable discharge in September 1921.\n\nIn 1938, Mr. Thurland founded the St. Croix Community Band, training generations of young musicians who performed free monthly concerts at the Christiansted Bandstand \u2014 a gift to the community that endured for three decades. He led the band until 1968, when he passed the baton to his son upon retiring for health reasons. Widely revered across the Virgin Islands as a master craftsman and skilled cabinetmaker, Mr. Thurland's contributions to the cultural and civic life of St. Croix remain immeasurable.\n\n\u201cThe Thurland family is honored with the naming of the Christiansted Bandstand for our grandfather Peter G. Thurland Sr,\u201d said Karen Thurland, granddaughter of Mr. Peter G. Thurland, Sr. \u201cNot only was he part of the building of the bandstand with the Christiansted enlisted U.S. Navy men, he also played with the Christiansted Industrial Brass Band at the transfer ceremony on the Christiansted Wharf on March 31, 1917. Peter G. Thurland Sr., besides being a musician was a master joiner, educator, family man who made many contributions to the St. Croix community.\u201d\n\nCongresswoman Plaskett continued, \"I am proud to introduce this legislation, which was first championed by Congressman Ron de Lugo in the 103rd Congress. The Christiansted Bandstand is more than a landmark \u2014 it is a living testament of St. Croix's rich cultural heritage. Renaming it in honor of Peter G. Thurland, Sr. ensures that every resident and visitor knows the name of one of our island's most beloved sons. I am committed to advancing this bill through the legislative process.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-06T21:06:43Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6011", "CONGRESSWOMAN\u00a0PLASKETT\u00a0JOINS TERRITORIAL LEADERS BEFORE SUPREME COURT IN FIGHT TO AFFIRM BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP PROTECTIONS AS ORAL ARGUMENTS CONCLUDE IN TRUMP V. BARBARA", "2026-04-01", "2026", "2026-04", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Alayah Phipps\n\nApril 1, 2026 202-813-2793\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT JOINS TERRITORIAL LEADERS BEFORE SUPREME COURT IN FIGHT TO AFFIRM BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP PROTECTIONS AS ORAL ARGUMENTS CONCLUDE IN TRUMP V. BARBARA\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI) released the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments today in Trump v. Barbara, a landmark case in which she joined current and former elected officials and judges from the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa in filing an amicus brief urging the Court to affirm that birthright citizenship is a constitutional guarantee that no executive order can override.\n\nAt the center of this case is whether the Trump administration can rewrite the meaning of the Fourteenth Amendment's Citizenship Clause to deny birthright citizenship to children born in the United States to certain immigrant parents? The amicus brief, signed by leaders across the political spectrum with varying views on territorial status, makes clear that whatever their differences, they stand united against any executive branch attempt to unilaterally redefine who counts as a citizen.\n\nThe brief draws a troubling comparison to the period following the Spanish-American War of 1898, when the McKinley administration tried to redefine \"in the United States\" to exclude people born in Puerto Rico, Guam, and other newly acquired territories. The Supreme Court's deference to the political branches on that question gave rise to the Insular Cases \u2014 a legal framework that left millions of territorial residents with statutory, rather than constitutionally protected, citizenship. The effects of that decision are still being felt today.\n\nAmerican Samoans, for example, are still classified under federal law as \"non-citizen\" U.S. nationals \u2014 a designation that has cost people military security clearances, created wrongful voter registration complications, and blocked full civic participation. The brief warns that allowing the administration's executive order to stand would deepen that history, handing the executive branch sweeping power over one of the most fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.\n\n\"For the people of the U.S. Territories, including the U.S. Virgin Islands, this fight is deeply personal. For generations, we have struggled to have our citizenship and our rights fully recognized. The Supreme Court's long avoidance of the birthright citizenship question in the territories has left our residents in an unacceptable state of legal limbo \u2014 and now we are watching that same dangerous logic weaponized to strip citizenship from children born on American soil. The Fourteenth Amendment is unambiguous: Those born under the sovereignty and jurisdiction of the United States are Americans. No executive order can change that. The Constitution does not bend to the political preferences of any administration, and no president holds the power to rewrite it by executive order. I am proud to stand alongside leaders across our territories to make that case before the Supreme Court on April 1st,\" said Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett.\n\nBACKGROUND: The amicus brief was coordinated by Right to Democracy, co-founded by Neil C. Weare, and filed on February 26, 2026, by co-counsel Patricio Martinez Llompart and the team at KKL LLP. The signatures urge the Court not to repeat the errors of the past by deferring to the political branches on the scope of the Citizenship Clause. Instead, they call on the Court to affirm, unambiguously, that birthright citizenship is a constitutional right \u2014 one that belongs to all persons born under the sovereignty and jurisdiction of the United States, and right that cannot be narrowed by executive or legislative action.", 1, "2026-04-02T05:33:17Z", "2026-04-06T21:06:43Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6012", "CONGRESSWOMAN\u00a0PLASKETT\u00a0ANNOUNCES OFFICE CLOSURES FOR EASTER\u00a0HOLIDAY", "2026-04-01", "2026", "2026-04", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland\n\nApril 1, 2026 202-808-6129\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT ANNOUNCES OFFICE CLOSURES FOR EASTER HOLIDAY\n\nU.S. Virgin Islands \u2014 In observance of the Easter holiday, the Washington, D.C., St. Croix, and St. Thomas offices of Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett will be closed on Thursday, April 2, and Friday, April 3, 2026. Offices will reopen on Monday, April 6, 2026.\n\n\"As we enter this Easter weekend, I extend my warmest wishes to all who are celebrating across our territory and beyond. Whether you are gathering with family, attending church services, or participating in the many cherished community traditions that make this season so meaningful in the Virgin Islands, I hope this time brings you renewal, reflection, and joy.\n\n\"Easter is a season of hope, and hope is something our territory has always held close, through every challenge and every triumph. To our families, our faith communities, and everyone who calls the Virgin Islands home, may this weekend be a time of peace, gratitude, and togetherness.\n\n\"I wish you and your family a blessed Easter.\"\n\nFor non-urgent matters, please email the offices or call after office reopening. For assistance, please call 202-225-1790 (Washington, D.C.), 340-778-5900 (St. Croix), or 340-774-4408 (St. Thomas). Messages left will be responded to when the offices reopen on Monday, April 6, 2026.", 1, "2026-04-02T05:33:17Z", "2026-04-06T21:06:43Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5990", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT RESPONDS TO BORDER PATROL ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS ON ST. CROIX; CALLS FOR DIGNITY AND RESPECT FOR ALL RESIDENTS", "2026-03-19", "2026", "2026-03", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland\n\nMarch 19, 2026 202-808-6129\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT RESPONDS TO BORDER PATROL ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS ON ST. CROIX; CALLS FOR DIGNITY AND RESPECT FOR ALL RESIDENTS\n\nST. CROIX, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS \u2014 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI) today issued the following statement regarding enforcement actions conducted by Border Patrol agents on St. Croix on March 19, 2026:\n\n\"My office has received reports and video footage from community members regarding Border Patrol enforcement actions taking place on St. Croix. My team and I have investigated the matter with the appropriate authorities and can confirm that these actions were conducted by Border Patrol agents with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and are part of an initiative allegedly targeting individuals with criminal records.\n\n\"I am deeply concerned by these enforcement actions and the manner in which they were carried out. Regardless of the stated purpose of any federal initiative, I want to be clear: all agents \u2014 regardless of their designation \u2014 must treat our residents with dignity and respect. The safety and wellbeing of all Virgin Islands residents remain a priority, and I am committed to ensuring that any federal enforcement activities are conducted lawfully and with full respect for the dignity and rights of our residents.\n\n\"I urge all Virgin Islands residents to know their rights when interacting with immigration enforcement. My office has 'Know Your Rights' information, which has been distributed in the community and on social media, available in English, Haitian Creole, and Spanish to help community members understand their legal protections during encounters with federal agents. Regardless of immigration status, you have constitutional protections. I want to remind everyone in the community that in the United States, being present in the country without the appropriate documentation is a civil matter, not a criminal one.\n\n\"My team and I will continue to closely monitor the situation for any significant or increased presence of Department of Homeland Security agents on St. Croix. We will keep the public apprised of any developments. If you experience concerning interactions with federal enforcement or need assistance understanding your rights as an immigrant, please do not hesitate to contact my office. We are here to serve you.\n\n\u201cThroughout my time in Congress, I have championed comprehensive, compassionate immigration reform - including proudly cosponsoring the American Dream and Promise Act. Recently, I joined my colleague Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA) in supporting the Make Housing Affordable and Defend Democracy Act (H.R.6390), which redirect the $175 billion allocated to ICE funding, DHS raids, and border militarization toward housing relief, including benefiting first-time homebuyers, working and middle-class renters, and extremely low-income households.\n\n\u201cScripture reminds us: \u201cWhen a foreigner resides among you in your land,\n\ndo not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated\n\nas your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in\n\nEgypt.\u201d \u2014 Leviticus 19:33\u201334.\n\nThis ancient call to compassion is not merely a moral aspiration, it is the standard by which we must measure our treatment of every person who calls these islands home or who seeks safety and dignity within our community. I call on all federal agents operating in our territory to act accordingly\u201d\n\nMy offices are located at 60 King Street on St. Croix and at 9100 Port of Sale Mall, Port Havensight on St. Thomas and can be contacted at 340-778-5900 (STX) and 340-774-4408 (STT/STJ).\n\nTo access the Know Your Rights flyers, please visit plaskett.house.gov or any of the congressional offices on St. Thomas or St. Croix.\n\nKnow Your Immigration Rights\n\nConozca Sus Derechos de Inmigraci\u00f3n\n\nKonnen Dwa Imigrasyon W Yo", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-06T21:05:58Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5978", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT CAUTIONS VIRGIN ISLANDERS AGAINST SOCIAL SECURITY CARD SCAMS", "2026-03-17", "2026", "2026-03", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "U.S. Virgin Islands \u2014 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-USVI) is urging residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands to be on high alert after the Social Security Administration (SSA) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) issued a national scam warning to remind the public that new and replacement Social Security cards are provided at no cost. Numerous fraudulent websites and impersonators are currently charging fees for services that the federal government provides for free.\n\nThe SSA provides this assistance \u2014 for first-time applicants, replacements for lost cards, and name changes \u2014 at no charge. Residents are encouraged to visit SSA's official website at ssa.gov/number-card or call 1-800-772-1213 for assistance. Eligible individuals may also create a personal my Social Security account at ssa.gov/myaccount to apply for a replacement card online.\n\n\"I want every Virgin Islander to know that you should never have to pay for a Social Security card \u2014 not a new one, not a replacement, not for any reason,\" said Congresswoman Plaskett. \"Scammers are actively targeting communities throughout the country with false claims about Social Security card fees. I urge all Virgin Islanders to go directly to the official SSA website or call their hotline, and to avoid third-party websites that may seek to steal your money or your personal information.\"\n\nThe SSA OIG has cautioned the public to be wary of imposter websites and fraudulent social media accounts designed to collect sensitive personal information, including Social Security numbers, birthdates, and credit card information. Section 1140 of the Social Security Act explicitly prohibits misleading SSA-related communications and restricts charging for services the SSA provides for free. Violators are subject to financial penalties.\n\nCongresswoman Plaskett urges all residents to keep the following steps in mind:\n\nPause. If you receive an unexpected call, text, email, letter, or social media message, be skeptical. Think: is this a scam?\n\nProtect. Guard your personal and financial information. Talk to someone you trust before sharing sensitive details or making any payment.\n\nReport. Visit ssa.gov/scam to report suspected Social Security-related scams. Follow SSA OIG on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn for the latest scam alerts. You may also visit the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov for additional consumer protection resources.\n\n\"Our seniors, our families, and our most vulnerable residents deserve to access the federal benefits and services they are entitled to without fear of exploitation,\" Congresswoman Plaskett concluded. \"I will always fight to ensure that Virgin Islanders are informed, protected, and empowered. If you or someone you know believes they have been targeted by one of these scams, please report it immediately and do not provide any further personal information.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-06T21:05:58Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5980", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT RESPONDS TO ST. JOHN EXTENDED POWER OUTAGE", "2026-03-16", "2026", "2026-03", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland\n\nMarch 16, 2026 202-808-6129\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT RESPONDS TO ST. JOHN EXTENDED POWER OUTAGE\n\nSt. John, USVI \u2014 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI) today issued the following statement in response to the extended power outage affecting the island of St. John, which has now exceeded 40 hours:\n\n\u201cWe want the people of St. John to know we feel the weight of what you are enduring. More than 40 hours without power is not an inconvenience; it is a crisis,\u201d said Congresswoman Plaskett. \u201cI know what it means to be at home when the lights go out: the isolation, the uncertainty, the fear for elderly neighbors and young children, the medications and food spoiling in refrigerators, the businesses that cannot open, the medical equipment that cannot run. This is an urgent crisis, demanding our full attention.\u201d\n\nThe Congresswoman extends her deep gratitude to the line crews and technical workers who have been working around the clock since the outage began: \u201cI want to offer my heartfelt thanks to the WAPA lineworkers and technicians who have not stopped working since this outage began. These men and women are out through the night and into the day, doing everything within their power to restore electricity to our fellow Virgin Islanders on St. John. Their dedication and professionalism in the face of a deeply challenging situation deserves to be recognized.\u201d\n\nReports have emerged suggesting that the outage may have resulted from deliberate tampering with WAPA\u2019s electrical infrastructure.\n\n\u201cIf it is determined that someone intentionally tampered and caused the outage, it is my hope that the appropriate authorities will hold those responsible to the fullest extent of the law. An attack on our electrical infrastructure is an attack on our people. It should not go unaddressed.\u201d\n\nThe Congresswoman also acknowledged the community support efforts underway in response to the outage. Love City Strong case managers have been actively reaching out to individuals on their high-risk list. The majority of residents Love City Strong has connected with have confirmed contingency plans are in place. Residents who feel they may need additional support are encouraged to self-identify by contacting the Love City Strong office at 340-714-7744 or via email at info@lovecitystrongvi.org, where staff will assess their situation and provide a vulnerability rating. Those identified as high-risk will be proactively contacted during future emergencies.\n\nThe Congresswoman also acknowledged ongoing discussions about battery storage and alternative energy solutions for St. John: \u201cI am aware of the battery storage and alternative energy initiatives that have been planned and discussed for St. John. I remain a strong advocate for moving those projects forward with speed and seriousness. Realistically, a battery system would not have been able to carry an entire island through a 40-plus-hour outage of this magnitude, but it would have provided meaningful, critical relief in the earliest hours.\n\n\u201cThe United States Virgin Islands deserves a resilient, modern, and reliable electrical grid. Our people deserve energy security. I will continue to fight for our people, and work with every available partner to bring the investment and infrastructure to our territory that our people have long been promised and have always deserved. We will get there. When we do, the strength of our community that we see now, in the way neighbors are looking out for one another across St. John will be the foundation we build upon.\u201d", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-06T21:05:58Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5977", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT ON THE PASSING OF VIRGIN ISLANDS SOURCE REPORTER SUSAN ELLIS", "2026-03-09", "2026", "2026-03", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Alayah Phipps\n\nMarch 9, 2026 202-813-2793\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT ON THE PASSING OF VIRGIN ISLANDS SOURCE REPORTER SUSAN ELLIS\n\nU.S. Virgin Islands \u2014 It is with deep sadness that Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett mourns the passing of Susan Ellis, a dedicated journalist and beloved member of the U.S. Virgin Islands community who served for many years as a reporter both with the St. Croix Avis and the Virgin Islands Source.\n\n\"The Virgin Islands has lost a tireless voice\u2014one that told our stories with care, accuracy, and a deep commitment to truth. Susan Ellis was more than a reporter; she was a chronicler of our community. For years, she showed up, to the legislative hearings, the community events, the moments big and small\u2014because she understood that the people of these islands deserved to see themselves reflected in a free and independent press. Susan was passionate in her advocacy for healthcare in the Virgin Islands--particularly mental health--agriculture and animal welfare.\n\n\"I had the privilege of working alongside Susan in my capacity as Congresswoman for the Virgin Islands, and I always found her to be thorough, fair, and deeply invested in the wellbeing of this territory. She asked the hard questions because she believed the public deserved honest answers. That is the hallmark of a great journalist, and Susan was exactly that.\n\n\"To her daughters, her family, her colleagues at the VI Source, and all who loved her\u2014you are in my thoughts and prayers. The Virgin Islands press community is smaller today, but Susan's legacy will endure in every story she told and every person whose voice she elevated. May she rest in peace and in power.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-06T21:05:58Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5972", "HOUSE PASSES PLASKETT-BACKED BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO GUARANTEE IN-STATE TUITION FOR TERRITORIAL STUDENTS", "2026-03-04", "2026", "2026-03", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI) released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Territorial Student Access to Higher Education Act, bipartisan legislation that guarantees in-state tuition rates for students from the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa. The bill, led by the territorial Members, passed the House floor today following debate and a full vote, marking a historic milestone in the decades-long fight to expand affordable higher education access for territorial students pursuing degrees on the mainland.\n\nThe legislation amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require public institutions receiving federal funds to charge eligible territorial residents no more than the in-state tuition rate. Out-of-state tuition can be two to three times higher than in-state rates, representing a significant deterrent for families who already face higher costs of living, limited degree options on-island and the added burden of long-distance relocation.\n\n\"Today is a historic day for students and families across the U.S. territories,\" said Congresswoman Plaskett. \"Since my first term in office, I have advocated for legislation to expand in-state tuition access for students in the Virgin Islands and the other U.S. territories. In 2022, I secured a provision in the Build Back Better Act, which passed in the U.S. House of Representatives, that would have established a college access grants program to cover the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition rates for students from the territories. Today, the House has spoken clearly: our students deserve the same educational opportunities and pathways to success as their peers in the states. Guaranteeing in-state tuition is essential to reducing the burden of student debt and opening doors to the careers and training needed to strengthen our local economies. I am proud to have fought alongside my colleagues to advance this legislation, and I urge the Senate to act swiftly so that we can deliver this long-overdue relief to territorial students and families.\"\n\n\u201cThe passage of H.R. 6472 marks a significant step toward ensuring true parity for American students living in the territories,\u201d Congressman Moylan (R-GU) said. \u201cToo many of our students leave home to pursue degrees that simply aren\u2019t available locally, and too often the financial burden places that opportunity further out of reach for hardworking families. This measure strengthens the pipeline of skilled professionals who will help build a stronger, more resilient Guam. It\u2019s about empowering our youth to pursue their dreams without being priced out of them, and ensuring that when they return home, they are ready to lead the next chapter of Guam\u2019s growth.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis is great news for our students, and a successful bipartisan collaboration. Our students deserve the best possible access to four-year University degrees. Millions of American students benefit from in-state tuition, and this innovative bill extends this sensible policy to the islands. Thank you to each of my colleagues. With passage by the full House, we\u2019re a big step closer to fairness, and making a major difference in opportunity for our students,\u201d said Congresswoman Amata Coleman Radewagen (R-AS).\n\n\u201cStudents from the Northern Mariana Islands bring talent, dedication, and a strong commitment to their education when they pursue opportunities across the United States. H.R. 6472 helps expand access to affordable higher education by allowing students from U.S. territories to qualify for in-state tuition rates at public colleges and universities. For many CNMI families, higher education requires significant sacrifice, and this bipartisan legislation helps open more doors for our students while strengthening pathways to build the skilled workforce our islands and our nation need,\" said Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds (R-MP).\n\n\"I want to thank Congressman Moylan for his leadership on this issue, as well as Congresswoman Radewagen, Congressman Hern\u00e1ndez, and Congresswoman King-Hinds for their steadfast partnership in this fight for educational equity,\" Congresswoman Plaskett concluded. \"I also extend my gratitude to Chairman Walberg, Ranking Member Scott, and every Member of the House of Representatives who voted to advance this critical legislation. Our work is not finished\u2014this bill now moves to the U.S. Senate for consideration, and if passed, it will proceed to the President's desk to be signed into law. I remain fully committed to seeing this bill across the finish line, ensuring that Virgin Islands students and all territorial students finally have the same access to affordable higher education as their peers across this nation.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-06T21:05:58Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5951", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES ON PASSING OF CIVIL RIGHTS ICON REVEREND JESSE LOUIS JACKSON SR.", "2026-02-18", "2026", "2026-02", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Alayah Phipps\n\nFebruary 18, 2026 202-813-2793\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES ON PASSING OF CIVIL RIGHTS ICON REVEREND JESSE LOUIS JACKSON SR.\n\nWashington, D.C.\u2014 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett released the following statement on the passing of Civil Rights leader and founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the Honorable Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson Sr.:\n\n\"Today, our nation mourns the loss of a giant. During Black History Month, we honor the life of Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson Sr., who dedicated his life to the fight for justice, equality, and human dignity. His voice and moral courage shaped the soul of our nation and losing him during Black History Month reminds us that the leaders who made history walked among us, and their work is now ours.\n\n\u201cThrough Operation Breadbasket and later the Rainbow PUSH Coalition\u2014a movement he created that transformed how America approaches civil rights\u2014Reverend Jackson channeled the cry for justice into action. He pressured corporate boardrooms, securing diplomatic victories, and opened doors for generations to come. His historic presidential campaigns as a Democratic candidate in 1984 and 1988 shattered barriers, winning 13 primaries and caucuses and showed America what was possible. He paved the path for the election of President Barack Obama and for so many of us who serve in Congress today.\n\n\u201cFor the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Reverend Jackson was more than a leader\u2014he was a North Star. His mentorship, advocacy, and unwavering commitment to Black political empowerment strengthened our institution and inspired countless members, including many who serve today, to fight for justice with the same moral clarity and courage he embodied.\n\n\u201cHis legacy lives in every voter registration drive, every march for economic justice, and every movement that demanded the voiceless be heard. He mobilized millions, transformed the political landscape, and inspired generations of leaders\u2014including many of us who now serve in Congress\u2014to believe that we too could make a difference.\n\n\u201cAs the representative of the U.S. Virgin Islands, a territory still fighting for full equality and representation, I am deeply grateful for Reverend Jackson's unwavering commitment to ensuring that all Americans\u2014regardless of where they live, what they look like, or how much money they have\u2014are treated with dignity and have access to opportunity.\n\n\u201cMy heartfelt condolences go out to his wife, children, grandchildren, and the entire Jackson family, including my colleague Congressman Jonathan Jackson, who carries his father\u2019s legacy forward in Congress. They shared him with the world, and in return, the world became part of their extended family. May he rest in peace and power.\n\n\u201cReverend Jackson's work is not finished. It falls to all of us to honor his memory by continuing the fight for the values he lived by\u2014justice, equality, and love. His life reminds us that change is possible when we have the courage to demand it and the determination to see it through. In his most famous words, we will 'Keep Hope Alive!'\"", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-06T21:03:58Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5943", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT MEETS WITH VIRGIN ISLANDS BOARD OF EDUCATION TO DISCUSS FUTURE OF FEDERAL FUNDING FOR EDUCATION", "2026-02-15", "2026", "2026-02", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland\n\nFebruary 15, 2026 202-808-6129\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT MEETS WITH VIRGIN ISLANDS BOARD OF EDUCATION TO DISCUSS FUTURE OF FEDERAL FUNDING FOR EDUCATION\n\nWASHINGTON, DC \u2014 In February of 2026, Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett met with the Virgin Islands Board of Education to discuss the impact of recently enacted federal funding cuts on education in our territory.\n\nThe meeting focused on P.L. 119-21, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which threatens essential programs and services that thousands of Virgin Islands families depend on every single day.\n\nThe budget reconciliation law cuts more than $840 billion from Medicaid and $300 billion from SNAP nationwide\u2014programs that directly determine eligibility for free school meals. Fewer children will qualify for Medicaid and SNAP, putting the Virgin Islands' universal free school lunch program at risk. As fewer children qualify for these programs, our schools risk losing Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) eligibility\u2014jeopardizing free meals for all students at a time when nearly 40% of Virgin Islands households face food insecurity.\n\nThe Virgin Islands Department of Education currently manages $115.5 million in federal grants, including funding from the U.S. Department of Education for programs like the Consolidated Grant, Special Education (IDEA), and Adult Education. Nearly $29.4 million comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for nutrition programs including the National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Services Program, and Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Program\u2014which also support local farms and producers.\n\n\"This is about understanding what is coming and preparing our community,\" Congresswoman Plaskett said. \u201cThis law affects millions of children nationwide, and the Virgin Islands will feel these cuts deeply. When funding for school meals is cut, children lose their ability to focus in the classroom. When SNAP benefits are reduced, families face impossible choices between feeding their children and paying rent. As these changes take effect, no child in the Virgin Islands should go to school hungry, and no family should face these choices alone. We must work together\u2014parents, educators, leaders, and our community\u2014to navigate this reality and protect our children through the challenges ahead.\"\n\n\"The Virgin Islands already operates under different federal funding formulas than the states,\" said Dr. Kyza Callwood, Virgin Islands Board of Education Chairman. \"We have less flexibility, fewer resources, and higher costs. When Washington cuts education and nutrition funding, Virgin Islands children go hungry. When they change SNAP eligibility, Virgin Islands families lose the ability to feed themselves. We cannot and will not accept that.\"\n\nThe urgency is compounded by the Trump administration's sweeping executive actions targeting schools nationwide\u2014launching hundreds of investigations, freezing billions in federal grants, and dismantling the Department of Education itself. Half the Department\u2019s workforce has been fired or departed, and the Office for Civil Rights now dismisses approximately 90% of discrimination complaints without investigation\u2014up from 49% in 2010-2011. These executive actions, combined with the enacted budget cuts, create unprecedented uncertainty for schools and families across the country.\n\nDuring the meeting, Congresswoman Plaskett and the Virgin Islands Board of Education emphasized the critical importance of parents, students, educators, and community leaders staying informed, advocating boldly, and standing together to protect children and families as these changes take effect.\n\n\"This is a defining moment,\" Congresswoman Plaskett concluded. \"When parents, teachers, students, and leaders move together with purpose and clarity, we can effect change. The children of the Virgin Islands are worth that fight.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-06T21:03:58Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5942", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT CONDEMNS REMOVAL OF HISTORICAL MARKERS IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK", "2026-02-13", "2026", "2026-02", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland\n\nFebruary 13, 2026 202-808-6129\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT CONDEMNS REMOVAL OF HISTORICAL MARKERS IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK\n\nSt. Croix, USVI - Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-USVI) denounced a sweeping Trump Administration directive targeting historical markers at national parks nationwide\u2014a campaign that has reached the Virgin Islands National Park, where signs and exhibits documenting the territory's history are being removed. The Virgin Islands National Park protects more than 7,000 acres on St. John that tell the story of the territory's past: Taino archaeological sites documenting indigenous life and sugar plantation ruins that stand as testament to the forced labor of enslaved Africans who built the colonial economy.\n\nThe directive implements President Trump's March 2025 Executive Order 14253, \"Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History,\" which has resulted in the removal or modification of displays related to Native American history, climate change, and the treatment of enslaved peoples at parks including the Grand Canyon, Glacier, Big Bend, and Grand Teton.\n\n\"The erasure of history does not change history\u2014it only ensures we are condemned to repeat it. The Virgin Islands National Park preserves the history of our ancestors \u2013 from the indigenous peoples who first called these islands home to those who endured enslavement and built our communities through unimaginable hardship. These stories must be told accurately and completely so current and future generations understand where we come from and the lessons we must carry forward. The removal of these historical markers robs our children and all Americans of the truth they deserve.\n\n\"National parks serve as America's storytellers, with a responsibility to present our history accurately \u2013 the beautiful and the painful, the triumphs and the tragedies. Removing references to the displacement of indigenous peoples, the realities of enslavement, or the scientific evidence of climate change is not restoring truth. It is manufacturing a sanitized fiction that disrespects every American who deserves to know the full truth of our history.\n\n\"The Virgin Islands has never shied away from our history. We honor our ancestors by telling their stories truthfully, teach our children by acknowledging what came before, and protect our future by learning from our past. I have worked across the aisle to ensure our history is preserved\u2014 including passing bipartisan legislation to install a plaque at Ram Head commemorating the 1733 slave rebellion.\n\n\u201cI am engaging directly with the Department of the Interior and calling on the Administration to reverse these removals and restore accurate historical interpretation at the Virgin Islands National Park. I will continue fighting to ensure the Virgin Islands National Park preserves our complete history and supports St. John and the entire Virgin Islands\u2014our land, people, culture, and future\u2014for generations to come.\"\n\n###\n\nLetter to Secretary Burgum of the U.S. Department of Interior linked here.", 1, "2026-04-03T05:34:17Z", "2026-04-06T21:03:58Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5936", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT ALERTS TRAVELERS: NEW TSA FEE TAKES EFFECT FEBRUARY 1 FOR THOSE WITHOUT REAL ID", "2026-02-01", "2026", "2026-02", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland\n\nFebruary 1, 2026 202-808-6129\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT ALERTS TRAVELERS: NEW TSA FEE TAKES EFFECT FEBRUARY 1 FOR THOSE WITHOUT REAL ID\n\nWASHINGTON, DC \u2014 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-USVI) alerts Virgin Islands residents and all travelers that beginning February 1, 2026, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will implement a $45 TSA ConfirmID fee for those arriving at airport security checkpoints without proper identification. This is a nationwide policy affecting all U.S. airports. The fee will apply to travelers aged 18 and older who do not have a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or other TSA-approved form of identification, such as a valid U.S. passport.\n\nTSA ConfirmID is a voluntary, paid service that uses biometric data and federal databases to verify a traveler's identity. The non-refundable $45 fee must be paid through Pay.gov and is valid for 10 days from the travel start date entered during payment. If you travel after the 10-day expiration, you must pay the fee again. While travelers can access Pay.gov on their mobile device at the airport, TSA strongly recommends paying in advance to avoid significant delays.\n\nImportant details travelers should know:\n\nAccepted forms of ID include REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses, U.S. passports, passport cards, and other TSA-approved forms of identification.\n\nTSA ConfirmID is voluntary. However, without it or acceptable ID, you may not be allowed through security and could miss your flight.\n\nBring a printed or electronic copy of your TSA ConfirmID payment receipt to show at the checkpoint.\n\nPayment must be made through Pay.gov using a valid bank account (ACH), debit card, credit card, Venmo, or PayPal. Cash is not accepted.\n\nPayment of the ConfirmID fee does not guarantee clearance through security. If identity cannot be confirmed, you may not be allowed through security.\n\nThe identity verification process at the checkpoint takes an average of 10-15 minutes but could take more time.\n\n\"I want to ensure that Virgin Islands residents are aware of this change well in advance so they can plan accordingly and avoid unexpected fees or travel disruptions,\" said Congresswoman Plaskett. \"Thanks to the dedicated work of the Virgin Islands Bureau of Motor Vehicles, residents can obtain REAL ID-compliant licenses. I strongly encourage anyone planning to travel to verify their identification is valid.\"\n\nVirgin Islands residents can apply for a REAL ID-compliant driver's license at their local Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) by appointment only. For more information about REAL ID requirements, visit bmv.vi.gov.\n\nSt. Thomas BMV Office: 4605 Tutu Park Mall - Suite 231, (340) 774-4268\n\nSt. Croix BMV Office: 10065 Industrial Park, (340) 713-4268\n\nSt. John BMV Office: Government Complex, Cruz Bay, (340) 776-6262\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-01T05:41:29Z", "2026-04-06T21:03:58Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5935", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT\u2019S STATEMENT ON ARRESTS OF INDIVIDUALS RELATED TO VI DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES MEDICAID AND SNAP PROGRAMS", "2026-01-29", "2026", "2026-01", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland\n\nJanuary 29, 2026 202-808-6129\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT\u2019S STATEMENT ON ARRESTS OF INDIVIDUALS RELATED TO VI DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES MEDICAID AND SNAP PROGRAMS\n\nST. CROIX, USVI\u2014 Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett (D-USVI) released the following statement regarding the recent arrests of multiple individuals connected to the Virgin Islands Department of Human Services Medicaid and SNAP programs:\n\n\"I have been informed of the recent arrests of eleven individuals connected to the Virgin Islands Department of Human Services Medicaid department.\n\n\"Medicaid and SNAP are critical programs that provide healthcare access and food security to our most vulnerable residents\u2014seniors, children, people with disabilities, and low-income families. In communities like ours, where healthcare resources are already limited and food costs are high, these programs serve as essential lifelines for thousands of Virgin Islanders. They should not be tampered with or put in jeopardy by illegal activity.\n\n\"I commend the law enforcement agencies involved in investigating the alleged fraud. My office will await additional information as the investigation proceeds and the legal process moves forward.\n\n\"This situation highlights our responsibility as leaders to strengthen and protect the social safety nets that serve those living in our community. We must ensure that programs designed to help our most needy residents function with integrity and remain accessible to those who depend on them. Ensuring that all Virgin Islanders have access to livable wages, resources to meet basic needs, and affordable healthcare are some of my goals as a leader and I am certain we all wish the same. I ask that our community allow the legal process to work.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-01T05:41:29Z", "2026-04-06T21:01:44Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5934", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT RESPONDS TO REPORTS OF ICE RAIDS ON ST. JOHN; URGES COMMUNITY VIGILANCE AS HAITI TPS EXPIRATION APPROACHES", "2026-01-28", "2026", "2026-01", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland\n\nJanuary 28, 2026 202-808-6129\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT RESPONDS TO REPORTS OF ICE RAIDS ON ST. JOHN; URGES COMMUNITY VIGILANCE AS HAITI TPS EXPIRATION APPROACHES\n\nST. JOHN, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS \u2014 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-USVI) today issued the following statement regarding reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity on St. John:\n\n\"My office received reports from community members concerning ICE raids occurring on St. John. My team and I have investigated the matter with the appropriate authorities and can confirm that these reports were false. There were no ICE raids on St. John.\n\n\"Nonetheless, this incident underscores the climate of fear and uncertainty facing many in our community as Temporary Protected Status for Haitians is set to expire on February 3, 2026. I am deeply concerned that this expiration will be used as an excuse to begin more aggressive enforcement actions against the most vulnerable members of our community\u2014not only Haitians, but anyone who may be profiled. The safety and wellbeing of all Virgin Islands residents remain a priority, and I am committed to ensuring that any federal enforcement activities are conducted lawfully and with full respect for the dignity and rights of our residents.\n\n\"I urge all Virgin Islands residents to know their rights when interacting with immigration enforcement. My office has 'Know Your Rights' information that we have distributed in the community and social media available in English, Haitian Creole, and Spanish to help community members understand their legal protections during encounters with federal agents. Regardless of your immigration status, you have constitutional protections.\n\n\"My team and I will continue to closely monitor the situation for any significant or increased presence of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents in St. John. We will keep the public apprised of any developments. If you experience concerning interactions with federal enforcement or need assistance understanding your rights as an immigrant, please do not hesitate to contact my office. We are here to serve you.\"\n\nMy offices are located at 60 King Street on St. Croix and at 9100 Port of Sale Mall, Havensight Mall on St. Thomas and can be contacted at 340-778-5900 (STX) and 340-774-4408 (STT/STJ).\n\nTo access the Know Your Rights flyers, please visit plaskett.house.gov or visit any of the congressional offices on St. Thomas or St. Croix.\n\nKnow Your Immigration Rights\n\nConozca Sus Derechos de Inmigracion\n\nKonnen Dwa Imigrasyon W Yo\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:01:44Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5915", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT\u2019S STATEMENT ON GOVERNOR BRYAN\u2019S FINAL STATE OF THE TERRITORY ADDRESS", "2026-01-27", "2026", "2026-01", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland\n\nJanuary 27, 2026 202-808-6129\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT\u2019S STATEMENT ON GOVERNOR BRYAN\u2019S FINAL STATE OF THE TERRITORY ADDRESS\n\nST. THOMAS, USVI \u2013 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-USVI) released the following statement in response to Governor Albert Bryan Jr.\u2019s final State of the Territory Address:\n\nAs I shared in my 2026 New Year\u2019s message, we live in a time that calls for resolve, clarity, and shared purpose, and for recognizing that progress requires hard work and persistence. Tonight\u2019s address underscored that reality by detailing the scale of recovery now underway\u2014from federally funded rebuilding across our islands, to long-delayed infrastructure projects finally moving into construction, to reforms that have stabilized core systems like healthcare, energy, and pensions. I commend the Governor for his detailed review of accomplishments and would like the community to understand that the federal legislative victories that have paved much of this progress happened through relentless advocacy, strategic partnership, and an unwavering commitment to securing what our territory deserves from the federal government.\n\nFor Virgin Islanders, progress is not measured in speeches alone. It is measured by whether disaster recovery dollars are reaching our communities, whether our hospitals and clinics are being rebuilt and strengthened as outlined tonight, whether energy reliability is improving and costs are coming down, whether our schools and roads are moving from plans to construction, and whether our families can see a path toward stability. Many of the initiatives discussed in the address required congressional action led by my office, including securing historic disaster recovery funding, permanently improving the Medicaid match, restoring the rum cover-over rate, and reducing federal cost-share requirements that made large-scale rebuilding possible.\n\nThe permanent restoration of the rum cover-over rate to $13.25 per proof gallon\u2014a victory the Governor rightly celebrated\u2014was the result of years of coordinated effort with our congressional allies. Similarly, the permanent decrease of the required local Medicaid match from 45% to 17% by the federal government, which I had written into legislation, represents a transformational policy win that enables our healthcare system to serve over 29,000 Virgin Islanders annually without bankrupting our local government tax.\n\nWhen the Trump Administration threatened to impose devastating maritime fees that would have inflated costs on everything from building supplies to groceries, as a Member of the House Ways and Means Committee, which oversees trade policy, I presented the rationale for a Caribbean waiver, negotiated with the administration to make changes\u2014and we won.\n\nThe $25 billion in federal recovery funds now rebuilding our schools, hospitals, roads, and infrastructure is the direct result of federal legislation I championed and defended. The reduced federal match requirement from 10% to 2%\u2014saving Virgin Islands taxpayers $2 billion\u2014did not materialize on its own. It required strategic legislative maneuvering and persistent pressure, calling in favors to the Biden Administration.\n\nThrough the American Rescue Plan Act, I was able to legislate that the Virgin Islands receive a permanent reimbursement of the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit that has brought in annual funding of between $20 and $40 million to our local government. I was delighted when Governor Bryan and our legislature earmarked these funds for tax returns and the 8% retroactive payments to our government employees.\n\nI also want to address the challenges we continue to face. Energy reliability remains a pressing concern for our families and businesses. The conviction of three cabinet members reminds us that the people\u2019s trust is sacred and must be constantly earned through transparent, ethical governance. And as we look ahead to the significant infrastructure investments on the horizon, we must ensure that the next administration has the capacity, integrity, and vision to sustain this momentum. The road ahead demands more than ribbon-cuttings and groundbreakings. It requires the discipline to maintain what we build, the wisdom to plan for sustainable growth, and the courage to make difficult decisions about how we invest in our collective future.\n\nOur work is far from finished. The next four years will test our resolve as federal recovery dollars flow into active construction projects across all three islands. We must rebuild not just structures, but systems. We must create not just jobs, but careers. We must invest not just in today\u2019s needs, but in tomorrow\u2019s capacity. My team and I remain firmly committed to working Governor Bryan through the final year of this administration and the 36th Legislature to ensure that every federal dollar serves our people effectively and that every policy decision strengthens our foundation.\n\nAs Virgin Islanders look ahead, we must shift from recovery to readiness in ways people can feel in our homes, at work, in our schools, and in our communities. We have come too far to settle for progress that cannot be sustained. The work ahead calls for continued action, clarity, and commitment. It is time to keep building on what has been earned\u2014let\u2019s get to work.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:01:44Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5914", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES ON PASSING OF DR. RALPH DECHABERT", "2026-01-24", "2026", "2026-01", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland\n\nJanuary 24, 2026 202-808-6129\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES ON PASSING OF DR. RALPH DECHABERT\n\nST. CROIX, USVI\u2014Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett released the following statement on the passing of Dr. Ralph A. DeChabert, a pioneering physician and dedicated community servant in the U.S. Virgin Islands:\n\n\"It is with great sadness that I join the people of the Virgin Islands in mourning the loss of Dr. Ralph A. DeChabert, a visionary physician whose contributions left an indelible mark on healthcare in our territory.\n\n\u201cDr. DeChabert was more than a skilled obstetrician \u2013 he was a compassionate healer and innovator who understood the critical health needs of our people. His obstetric practice at Juan F. Luis Hospital during a crucial period in our history, brought countless Virgin Islanders into the world with expert care. His work establishing the March of Dimes on St. Croix through the Sickle Cell Clinic demonstrated his commitment to addressing the specific health challenges facing our community.\n\n\u201cThe people of the Virgin Islands have lost a quiet giant whose impact resonates through generations. My thoughts and prayers are with Dr. DeChabert's family, (which includes my own Chief of Staff, Angeline Muckle-Jabbar) friends, and the countless lives he touched throughout his distinguished career.\n\n\u201cHis service will not be forgotten.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:01:44Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5913", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT ANNOUNCES REVERSAL OF TERMINATION OF ESSENTIAL HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH GRANTS", "2026-01-15", "2026", "2026-01", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland\n\nJanuary 15, 2026 202-808-6129\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT ANNOUNCES REVERSAL OF TERMINATION OF ESSENTIAL HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH GRANTS\n\nWashington, D.C.\u2014 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-USVI) today announced the successful reinstatement of approximately 2,000 health and mental health service grants totaling roughly $2 billion nationwide. The reversal follows sustained pressure from Members of Congress, including the Congresswoman, who advocated with the Trump Administration successful explaining the chaotic and harmful termination of these critical programs.\n\nEarlier this week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), issued abrupt grant termination letters without warning, which threw communities nationwide into crisis and threatened vital programs that serve the U.S. Virgin Islands.\n\nVirgin Islands organizations affected by the Administration's reckless decision include the University of the Virgin Islands, the Access to Racial & Cultural Health Institute, Inc., and The Village \u2013 VI Partners in Recovery. These organizations provide essential substance abuse treatment, mental health services, and community health programs on which thousands of Virgin Islanders rely.\n\n\"I want to thank the University of the Virgin Islands, the Access to Racial & Cultural Health Institute, and The Village \u2013 VI Partners in Recovery for contacting my office about their grant termination letters,\u201d said Congresswoman Plaskett. \u201cAfter national outrage and advocacy from Members of Congress\u2014during which we made clear the impact of the cuts to vulnerable communities to be abandoned without warning or justification\u2014HHS reversed this decision. I am pleased to share that HHS has begun to issue the grant reinstatement letters, and these vital health services will continue.\u201d\n\n\"This victory demonstrates what we can accomplish when we stand together and advocate respectfully but strongly to deter policies that harm our most vulnerable neighbors,\" Congresswoman Plaskett continued. \u201cWe will remain vigilant and continue to fight for the health and well-being of Virgin Islanders.\"\n\nThe reinstated grants support essential services that include substance abuse treatment programs, mental health counseling, suicide prevention initiatives, and community health education throughout the U.S. Virgin Islands.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:01:44Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5907", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT SECURES CRITICAL WINS FOR VIRGIN ISLANDS AND CARIBBEAN IN BIPARTISAN APPROPRIATIONS PACKAGE", "2026-01-14", "2026", "2026-01", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Alayah Phipps\n\nJanuary 14, 2026 202-813-2793\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT SECURES CRITICAL WINS FOR VIRGIN ISLANDS AND CARIBBEAN IN BIPARTISAN APPROPRIATIONS PACKAGE\n\nWashington, D.C.\u2014 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI) announced that the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Financial Services and General Government and National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2026. This legislation delivers significant victories for the U.S. Virgin Islands, U.S. territories, and the Caribbean region while it rejects President Trump's proposed $163 billion in domestic cuts, eliminates over 80 extreme Republican policy riders, and reasserts Congress's power of the purse.\n\n\"This funding package delivers meaningful resources for the Virgin Islands and our Caribbean neighbors while it stands firm against cuts that would have devastated our communities,\" said Congresswoman Plaskett. \"The legislation provides $90 million for Caribbean security and development, $45 million for election security nationwide, and $28 million for the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, with special provisions for the U.S. territories. These victories strengthen our democracy, support our small businesses, and invest in our region's future.\u201d\n\nThe package provides $90 million for the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI), with additional prioritization for drug transit zones and countries affected by the humanitarian, economic, and political crisis in Haiti. The bill requires detailed CBSI spend plans within 45 days and mandates a report within 120 days to assess opportunities for educational partnerships in the Caribbean region. For Haiti specifically, the legislation provides $7.5 million for National Security Investment Programs focused on maternal and neonatal care, $5 million for non-lethal assistance to Haitian Armed Forces, and continued funding for reforestation, agricultural development, and justice system improvements.\n\nThe legislation provides $28 million for the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund and establishes that territories with 20 percent or more of their population living in poverty over the past 30 years qualify for enhanced consideration\u2014a critical provision for the Virgin Islands. The package provides $45 million for Election Assistance Commission Security Grants, which will directly benefit Virgin Islands election infrastructure.\n\nThe bill provides $150 million for the Small Business Development Center Program (SBDC) as part of $330 million in total Small Business Administration (SBA) entrepreneurial development funding. The legislation directs the SBA to assess minimum funding levels for States and U.S. territories to ensure adequate resources meet demand in each jurisdiction, with a report to Congress required within 180 days\u2014a critical step to evaluate whether territorial SBDCs receive the support they need to serve our small business communities effectively.\n\n\"This is what effective representation looks like,\" Congresswoman Plaskett stated. \"We delivered direct resources for our territory and the Caribbean while protecting the programs Virgin Islanders depend on.\"\n\nThe package strongly repudiates President Trump's fiscal year 2026 budget request, which would have slashed investments and severely weakened critical initiatives. Instead, the legislation protects $324 million for Community Development Financial Institutions, rejecting Trump's elimination efforts. It provides $1 billion for the Small Business Administration ($383 million above the Administration\u2019s request), increases Judiciary funding by $584 million above fiscal year 2025, and provides $5.5 billion for humanitarian assistance ($1.5 billion more than requested).\n\n\"The Virgin Islands and the Caribbean are better off because Democrats held the line,\" Congresswoman Plaskett added. \"We reasserted Congress's power of the purse, secured fair treatment for territories in federal funding formulas, invested in Caribbean security and regional partnerships, and protected critical programs\u2014all while eliminating every extreme policy provision that would have harmed our communities.\"\n\nBackground: The Financial Services and General Government and National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs appropriations package passed the U.S. House of Representatives on January 14, 2026. This appropriations package builds on P.L. 119-37, the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026, which provided continuing appropriations through January 30, 2026, and full-year appropriations for Agriculture, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction-Veterans Affairs. On January 8, 2026, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Commerce, Justice Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026 which is under consideration by the U.S. Senate. The current package does not provide funding for other departments or agencies, which includes Defense, Homeland Security, Labor-HHS-Education, and Transportation-HUD, which have temporary funding that expires at the end of this month. Congresswoman Plaskett will continue to advocate for full-year appropriations for these remaining departments to ensure stable funding for critical services affecting the Virgin Islands.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:01:44Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5904", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT CONGRATULATES TSEHAI ALFRED ON APPOINTMENT AS EDITOR IN CHIEF OF THE COLUMBIA DAILY SPECTATOR", "2026-01-12", "2026", "2026-01", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Alayah Phipps\n\nJanuary 12, 2026 202-813-2793\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT CONGRATULATES TSEHAI ALFRED ON APPOINTMENT AS EDITOR IN CHIEF OF THE COLUMBIA DAILY SPECTATOR\n\nU.S. Virgin Islands\u2014 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI) released the following statement congratulating Tsehai Alfred, a St. Croix native and former intern in her St. Croix district office, on her historic appointment as Editor in Chief and President of The Columbia Daily Spectator at Columbia University. Ms. Alfred is the first Black editor-in-chief of the publication, which is the second-oldest college daily newspaper in the United States and has been recognized as the best student newspaper in the country by the Society of Professional Journalists.\n\nA graduate of Good Hope Country Day School, where she restarted the school newspaper, Ms. Alfred once interned in Congresswoman Plaskett's St. Croix district office. During the summer of her freshman year at Columbia University, where she is studying English, Tsehai interned with the Virgin Islands Consortium, producing critical reporting that directly benefited the St. Croix business community. Her coverage of an obscure solid waste ordinance led to the cancellation of unwarranted fines for Christiansted businesses and resulted in the Waste Management Authority establishing a territory-wide public education initiative to ensure business owners understood their compliance obligations.\n\n\"I am incredibly proud of Tsehai and all that she has accomplished,\" said Congresswoman Plaskett. \"Tsehai has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to ethical journalism, community service, and giving voice to those who have been overlooked. The Virgin Islands is fortunate to have such a brilliant young woman representing our community on the national stage, and I have no doubt she will continue to make us proud.\"\n\n\"Working with Tsehai was an absolute privilege,\" said Tionee Scotland, Communications Director for Congresswoman Plaskett. \"From day one, her intellectual curiosity, exceptional writing ability, and remarkable eye for graphic design set her apart. But what truly distinguished Tsehai was her genuine commitment to public service\u2014she approached every assignment, whether drafting communications or researching policy issues, with the same level of excellence and attention to detail that you would expect from a seasoned professional. When her internship concluded, our office felt the loss deeply. That said, we couldn't be more proud of her historic appointment as Editor in Chief of The Columbia Daily Spectator. Tsehai has the rare combination of brilliance, integrity, and purpose that defines truly transformative journalists. We are excited to watch her continue making an impact that will undoubtedly extend far beyond the campus.\n\nThroughout her career, Ms. Alfred has maintained a steadfast focus on serving her community through journalism that informs, engages, and drives meaningful change. As she assumes leadership of The Spectator, she brings the same values of integrity and community-centered reporting that defined her work in the Virgin Islands.\n\nCongresswoman Plaskett commends Ms. Alfred's dedication to uplifting her home community through her work and congratulates her on this well-deserved achievement.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:01:44Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5905", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT CELEBRATES HOUSE PASSAGE OF HAITI ECONOMIC LIFT PROGRAM EXTENSION ACT", "2026-01-12", "2026", "2026-01", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland\n\nJanuary 12, 2026 202-808-6129\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT CELEBRATES HOUSE PASSAGE OF HAITI ECONOMIC LIFT PROGRAM EXTENSION ACT\n\nWashington, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed H.R. 6504, the Haiti Economic Lift Program Extension Act, reauthorizing the HOPE/HELP trade preference program for three additional years through December 31, 2028:\n\n\"Today's passage of the Haiti Economic Lift Program Extension Act is a significant victory for Haiti and for strategic U.S. engagement in the Caribbean. The bipartisan support for reauthorizing HOPE/HELP demonstrates that when it comes to supporting our neighbors and advancing our shared interests, Democrats and Republicans can work together.\n\n\"I am proud to have championed this legislation to support our Caribbean neighbors and foster economic development in the region. I want to thank Ranking Member Neal, Chairman Smith, Dr. Murphy, and my longtime friend, Haiti's Ambassador to the United States, Lionel Delatour, for their leadership in keeping the light of Haiti HOPE alive in the House of Representatives. The work of countless civil society groups supporting Haiti\u2019s stabilization and any American manufacturers pushed for the renewal of this legislation.\n\n\"HOPE/HELP is a trade preference program with strong bipartisan support, that secures jobs for our allies. Haitian apparel utilizes U.S. cotton and plays an essential role in shifting supply chains out of China and into the Western Hemisphere.\n\n\"I continue to emphasize the importance of U.S. trade engagement in the Caribbean region. This legislation advances stronger bilateral economic ties, provides greater certainty for investors, and delivers the economic security Haiti needs to rebuild and emerge more prosperous and resilient.\n\n\"The legislation will now be considered by the U.S. Senate, and if passed, will move to the President\u2019s desk for signature. We know Haiti's workers and families are counting on us to ensure this vital program continues without interruption.\"\n\nBackground: Haiti faces overlapping humanitarian, political, and economic crises requiring immediate action. More than 60% of the people of Haiti are living below the poverty line, with over 25% in extreme poverty. The 37% youth unemployment rate, combined with declining female literacy and lower school enrollment rates, as well as the crime and gang violence, makes finding skilled work increasingly difficult.\n\nThe apparel sector is of incredible importance to Haiti's economy and is the foundation for the country's economic development. Given the cascading job losses and extreme security crisis that have displaced over 1.4 million Haitians and left half the country's population experiencing life-threatening hunger, Haiti cannot afford to wait any longer for reauthorization of this vital program.\n\nThe HOPE/HELP reauthorization extends the period during which imports of certain Haitian-manufactured textile and apparel, and other goods produced in Haiti are eligible for duty-free treatment, providing the long-term certainty that Haitian producers and workers need to build stronger, more resilient futures. The legislation also restores eligibility for certain textiles that became ineligible due to changes in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:01:44Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5900", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT STATEMENT ON HOUSE PASSAGE OF AFFORDABLE CARE ACT ENHANCED TAX CREDIT EXTENSION", "2026-01-10", "2026", "2026-01", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland\n\nJanuary 10, 2026 202-808-6129\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT STATEMENT ON HOUSE PASSAGE OF AFFORDABLE CARE ACT ENHANCED TAX CREDIT EXTENSION\n\nWashington, D.C.\u2014 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI) released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives voted to extend for three years the Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits that expired on January 1, 2026:\n\n\u201cThis week, as a member of the House Committee on Ways and Means, I spoke on the House floor in defense of affordable healthcare for all Americans during debate on the three-year extension of ACA enhanced premium tax credits (view remarks here). The Virgin Islands and other territories, which have never had access to ACA Exchanges, reveal a clear picture of what happens without these critical benefits.\n\n\u201cThe Virgin Islands healthcare system is in crisis. Our hospitals operate under outdated Medicare formulas from 1982 and 1996, and face chronic shortages of supplies, medications, equipment, and staff\u2014forcing patients to bring their own sheets and diapers to the hospital and doctors to pool personal funds to pay vendors. Hospital funding gaps exceed $34 million annually. More than 3,000 Virgin Islanders lost Medicaid coverage when supplemental funding ended, dramatically increasing the uncompensated care burden on our already struggling system. In Puerto Rico, similar Medicaid funding caps forced reliance on borrowing and debt that contributed to their 2017 bankruptcy. These territorial healthcare crises stem directly from inadequate federal support.\n\n\u201cNationally, the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits has already doubled healthcare costs for 20 million Americans. When millions lose affordable coverage, the impact ripples across the entire healthcare system. Uninsured individuals turn to emergency rooms for basic care, driving up costs that are absorbed through higher premiums and hospital charges for everyone\u2014even those with employer-sponsored insurance. This system-wide strain means all Americans pay more for healthcare, regardless of where they get their coverage.\n\n\u201cSeventeen House Republicans joined Democrats in voting for this extension yesterday, demonstrating bipartisan recognition that this is a healthcare crisis, not a partisan issue. More than 90% of Marketplace enrollees rely on these enhanced premium tax credits\u2014without the extension, families across America are forced to choose between seeing a doctor or paying rent, between filling prescriptions or putting food on the table. The Senate must now prioritize the well-being of the American people over partisan politics and send this commonsense, bipartisan extension to the President's desk.\n\n\"My commitment to ensuring healthcare equity for the Virgin Islands and all U.S. territories in federal programs, including Medicaid, Medicare, and SSI, remains unwavering. When the Affordable Care Act was enacted, the U.S. Virgin Islands elected to receive a lump sum Medicaid allotment rather than establish an ACA health exchange, a decision driven by the prohibitively high cost and overwhelming administrative and regulatory burdens that made marketplace creation unfeasible for all U.S. territories. I continue to advocate for policy changes that would allow territorial residents without employer-provided health insurance to access coverage through the Washington, DC Exchange (DC Health Link), with standard reimbursement for premium tax credits. This critical option would ensure access to comprehensive healthcare coverage where ACA Marketplaces do not exist and address a critical gap in the U.S. territories' healthcare system.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:01:44Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5898", "PLASKETT STATEMENT ON SHARK ATTACK AT DORSCH BEACH", "2026-01-09", "2026", "2026-01", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland\n\nJanuary 9, 2026 202-808-6129\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nPLASKETT STATEMENT ON SHARK ATTACK AT DORSCH BEACH\n\nSt. Croix, USVI - Congresswoman Plaskett released the following upon learning about the horrific shark attack at Dorsch beach:\n\n\u201cIt is with profound sadness that we acknowledge the tragic death of Arlene Lillis, 56, of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, who lost her life Thursday following a shark attack at Dorsch Beach on St. Croix.\n\n\u201cOur hearts go out to her husband, Richard Lillis, and to all of her family and friends during this unimaginably difficult time. The loss of a loved one under such devastating circumstances is beyond words, and our entire community shares in their grief.\n\n\u201cWe are deeply grateful to the emergency responders who acted swiftly in their efforts to provide assistance, along with the brave bystanders who stepped in; we extend our sympathies to all those affected by this heartbreaking incident.\n\n\u201cMs. Lillis\u2019 family remains in our thoughts and prayers.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:01:44Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5899", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT SECURES CRITICAL FUNDING FOR VIRGIN ISLANDS IN BIPARTISAN APPROPRIATIONS PACKAGE", "2026-01-09", "2026", "2026-01", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland\n\nJanuary 9, 2026 202-808-6129\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT SECURES CRITICAL FUNDING FOR VIRGIN ISLANDS IN BIPARTISAN APPROPRIATIONS PACKAGE\n\nWashington, D.C.\u2014 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI) announced that the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Commerce, Justice Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026. This legislation provides critical funding for the U.S. Virgin Islands, rejects the Trump Administration's proposed $163 billion in cuts from domestic programs, and protects funding for clean energy, environmental protection, scientific research and public safety grants. The legislation will now be taken up and considered by the U.S. Senate before moving to the President\u2019s desk for signature.\n\n\"This funding package delivers meaningful results for the Virgin Islands while standing firm against reckless cuts that would have devastated our communities,\" said Congresswoman Plaskett. \"I am pleased to announce the bill includes $1,172,000 in Community Project Funding specifically for critical Virgin Islands programs: $1,031,000 for the Family Resource Center Emergency Shelter and Victim Services Expansion Project and $141,000 for Project Cultiv8te, which provides after-school programming as a gun violence intervention strategy for at-risk youth.\n\n\u201cThese funds are in addition to eight Community Project Funding requests secured in November of 2025, which included two significant mental health projects, $857,000 to the St. Clair Institute to renovate the St. Clair House of mental health and substance abuse recovery services and $788,000 to the Bush Tea and Therapy Foundation to expand the Frederiksted Center for Community Wellness. Just as importantly, Democrats eliminated every single extreme policy provision Republicans attempted to attach to this bill.\"\n\n\"This is what effective representation looks like,\" Congresswoman Plaskett stated. \"We delivered direct resources for our community while protecting the programs Virgin Islanders depend on. We rejected Trump's slash-and-burn approach and eliminated every poison pill Republicans tried to attach.\"\n\nThis funding package provides $117,217,000 to the Office of Insular Affairs, which administers federal assistance to the U.S. territories and freely associated states, for general technical assistance, maintenance, disaster assistance, coral reef initiatives, and natural resources activities.\n\nThis bill provides $10.4 billion in water infrastructure through the Army Corps of Engineers ($3.8 billion above the request), $3.1 billion for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy programs ($2.2 billion above the request), and $8.8 billion for the Environmental Protection Agency (nearly double the requested funding). It preserves programs President Trump tried to eliminate, including funding the Weatherization Assistance Program at $329 million, the National Endowments for the Arts and Humanities at $207 million respectively, and increasing Violence Against Women Act grant funding to $720 million.\n\nBeyond funding allocations, the bill includes strong guardrails against executive overreach and strengthens congressional oversight. It mandates minimum staffing levels for key agencies including the EPA, Forest Service, National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, and Bureau of Land Management\u2014preventing the Trump administration from undermining their core missions. The Administration would be required to notify Congress before moving funds and the bill secures appropriations levels through detailed funding tables, preventing unilateral shifts of hundreds of millions of dollars. The package secures resources for the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum and National Museum of the American Latino.\n\n\"The Virgin Islands and communities across America are better off because Democrats held the line on our values and priorities,\" said Congresswoman Plaskett. \"We reasserted Congress's power of the purse, addressed rising energy costs, invested in community safety and water infrastructure, and protected the environment---all while eliminating every extreme policy provision that would have harmed our communities.\"\n\nBackground: This appropriations package builds on P.L. 119-37, the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026, which provided continuing appropriations through January 30, 2026, and full-year appropriations for Agriculture, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction-Veterans Affairs. The current package does not provide funding for other departments or agencies, including Defense, Financial Services, Homeland Security, Labor-HHS-Education, State-Foreign Operations, and Transportation-HUD, which have temporary funding expiring at the end of this month. Congresswoman Plaskett will continue to advocate for full-year appropriations for these remaining departments to ensure stable funding for critical services affecting the Virgin Islands.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:01:44Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5897", "CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT MARKS FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF JANUARY 6TH ATTACK ON DEMOCRACY", "2026-01-06", "2026", "2026-01", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "\"Five years ago today, our nation witnessed an unprecedented assault on American democracy. History will forever regard January 6, 2021, as a dark day when our constitutional process and democracy were attacked evidence shows that it was a coordinated attempt to subvert the will of the American people and halt the peaceful transfer of power that has been the bedrock of our republic for over two centuries.\n\n\"As a result of the bravery of the Capitol Police and other law enforcement, this attempt to overturn the 2020 election results failed. Tragically, more than 140 law enforcement officers were injured, and five officers lost their lives in the aftermath. While the physical scars on the Capitol have been repaired, the damage to our democratic institutions requires constant vigilance to guard against future threats.\n\n\"The work of defending democracy is never finished. It requires each generation to stand firm against those who would undermine free and fair elections, who would substitute violence for the ballot box, and who would choose power over principle.\n\n\"Today, as we remember and honor those who defended democracy that day, we must also commit ourselves to protecting the truth about what happened. This was not 'legitimate political discourse.' This was not a 'tourist visit.' This was an insurrection, incited by lies about a stolen election\u2014lies that persist today and continue to threaten our democratic process.\n\n\u201cAs we enter the 250th anniversary of our nation\u2019s birth, we should use this year to recommit ourselves to the continuation of this democratic experiment until all its citizens have the opportunity to the American dream.\n\n\u201cOn this solemn anniversary, I stand with my colleagues in Congress\u2014and Americans across the country\u2014in our unwavering commitment to the Constitution, the rule of law, and the democratic values that define us as a nation. We will not forget January 6, 2021, and we will not allow it to happen again.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:01:44Z"], ["https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=5896", "PLASKETT STATEMENT ON U.S. MILITARY ACTION IN VENEZUELA AND FAA AIRSPACE CLOSURE", "2026-01-03", "2026", "2026-01", "Democrat", "House", "VI", "Stacey E. Plaskett", "P000610", "plaskett.house.gov", "plaskett", "https://plaskett.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland\n\nJanuary 3, 2026 202-808-6129\n\nPRESS RELEASE\n\nPLASKETT STATEMENT ON U.S. MILITARY ACTION IN VENEZUELA AND FAA AIRSPACE CLOSURE\n\nU.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS \u2013 Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-USVI) released the following statement today regarding military action in Venezuela and the closure of airspace covering Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA):\n\n\"I was informed that the FAA issued a security order closing airspace at all altitudes in the flight region of military action in Venezuela. I urge all Virgin Islanders and travelers to contact their airlines directly for updates on flight schedules and travel arrangements.\n\n\"The safety and security of Virgin Islanders and all Americans remains my top priority. Given the U.S. Virgin Islands' proximity to Venezuela and our position in the Caribbean, I will make sure to keep Virgin Islanders informed. As a member of the Intelligence Committee, I will await any briefing to Committee members from the administration and share what information I am able to give to the public.\n\n\u201cAdditionally, my office has spoken with a regional representative from the U.S. Postal Service who has informed us that all Priority and Priority Express packages inbound and outbound will not arrive or be delivered today due to the airspace restriction. The U.S. Postal service assured my office that they will work diligently to rectify the interruption once the airspace reopens.\n\n\"My office will continue to monitor this developing situation closely and provide updates to constituents as more information becomes available.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T21:01:44Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 71, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"party\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "Democrat", "p1": "VI", "p2": "2026"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=VI&year=2026", "results": [{"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 71, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=VI&year=2026", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=VI&year=2026", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 71, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=VI&year=2026&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=VI&year=2026", "results": [{"value": "VI", "label": "VI", "count": 71, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&year=2026", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=VI&year=2026", "results": [{"value": "2026", "label": "2026", "count": 71, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=VI", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": null, "next_url": null, "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 33.46194885671139, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}