File 024294
Congressional Accomplishments Report - Virgin Islands Delegate (File 024294)
A comprehensive report documenting the first-term legislative accomplishments and activities of a U.S. Virgin Islands Congressional delegate, including committee assignments, major sponsored legislation, and constituent services.
Summary
This document outlines the achievements of a Virgin Islands delegate during their first term (2015-2016), including appointment to key House committees, leadership roles in Democratic initiatives, and significant legislative victories for the territory. The report details successful efforts to protect Virgin Islands economic interests, expand veteran benefits, and advance economic development through various bills and initiatives. Field activities showcase constituent engagement through town halls, school visits, and coordination with federal agencies on territorial issues.
FIRST TERM ACCOMPLISHMENTS 2015-2016• Named to the Committees on Agriculture and Oversight andGovernment Reform• Named as the Freshman representative on the Democratic LeadershipSteering and Policy Committee• Named by Southern Region as Regional Whip for Democrats• Named to Leader Nancy Pelosi’s Future Forum Group. Made upof a select group of 10 Members of Democratic Conference toengage millennials in political process• Selected to President Obama’s White House RenewableEnergy roundtable group• Led the Virgin Islands’ delegation to the First Caribbean EnergySecurity Summit in DCSuccessful Legislative Activity• Successfully removed the Virgin Islands and small territories fromPROMESA (Puerto Rico Oversight ManagementEconomic Security Act), which threatened VI municipal credit andborrowing ability along with self-governance• Secured VA decision to expand Choice Program eligibility forVirgin Islands resident veterans• Original Co-Sponsor of legislation to expand the VA choice programeligibility (H.R.572)• Secured House passage of the Virgin Islands of the United StatesCentennial Commission Act (H.R.2615)• Successfully worked to repeal the DC Budget proposal listingUSVI and other Caribbean islands as tax havens which wouldhave negatively affected our ability to secure banking and Treasurysupport• Led the defeat of an amendment to the transportationauthorization bill (Territorial Highway Program: H.R.2353) thatwould have reduced federal dollars for the Virgin Islands• Defeated attempt by American Samoa and Northern Marianato reallocate percentage of funding going to the USVI for othersmall territories• Secured Commitment from Army Corp of Engineers forincreased personnel and resources for Virgin Islands backlogof permits• One of a small group of Members of Congress to be involved inthe planning of the unprecedented “sit-in” of House Democrats foraction to address American gun violence• Secured Agriculture drought relief assistance for farmers andlivestock owners and commitment to keep data on territories forfuture assistance and to designate St. Croix a primary disasterarea due to severe drought• Honored by global food and poverty groups for being a leadingvoice on issues affecting food and nutrition securityMajor Sponsored Legislation• Virgin Islands Visa Waiver Act of 2015 (H.R. 2116) — Givesexpedited visa process for members of the Caribbean Community(CARICOM) to enter the USVI for sports, entertainment, medical,and recreational purposes.• Hire-A-Hero Act of 2015 (H.R.2457) — Gives tax credits to smallbusinesses that hire someone in the Reserves or National Guard.• United States Virgin Islands College Access Act of 2015 (H.R.4191) — Allows student who are residents of the VI to receivein-state tuition when applying to participating state universities.• Lobbied Obama Administration to include UVI as a communitycollege for the President’s proposal to make 2 years free at communitycolleges.• Territorial Economic Growth and Recovery Act of 2016(H.R.5163) — Introduced to amend the Internal Revenue Code of1986 to provide for economic recovery in the Virgin Islands andGuam, and for other purposes.• Territorial Tax Equity and Economic Growth Act (H.R.5038) —Introduced to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 toprovide for economic recovery in the territories.• Co-Sponsored legislation to extend SSI benefits to the U.S. VirginIslands (H.R.582)• Visited Dominica immediately after Hurricane Erika and hostedDominican Ambassador in Congress. Introduced H.Res.453 withnumerous co-sponsors for additional Dominican assistanceField Activities• Sponsored workshops on STT and STX for small businesses onfederal contracting• Partnered with USDA for workshops (STX and STT) ontechnical support for Farmers• Had several town halls on St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John.• Commitment to visit ALL schools in the Virgin Islands, andcurrently have visited over 15 schools. Will continue to meet withheads of school, teachers AND students.• Organized and hosted first ever official roundtable discussionbetween VI Delegate to Congress and Virgin IslandsLegislature• Organized annual “VI Advocacy Day” in Congress, focused onelevating VI issues via local business owners and advocates• Held meetings with various Regional Directors of agencies todiscuss issues/concerns affecting the VI including:• HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Agency)• Customs and Border Protection• U.S. Postal Service• USPS letter carriers• HUD (Housing and Urban Development)• VA Regional Hospital in Puerto RicoTel: 340-277-7000www.PlaskettforCongress.com