Bryan Tells U.S. Senate Federal Rules Limit USVI Healthcare, Energy and Economic Development

As he winds down his second term in office, Governor Albert Bryan Jr. told members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources that the Virgin Islands has stabilized after the 2017 hurricanes and the Covid-19 pandemic, but remains constrained by federal statutory and regulatory frameworks that limit economic development and the delivery of public services. Testifying in Washington on Wednesday, the governor argued that U.S. Virgin Islands residents continue to face structural challenges despite their status as U.S. citizens. He said Congress must address those disparities if the territory is to compete more fairly and strengthen its role in the region. “The people of the Virgin Islands are not asking for special treatment,” Governor Bryan said. “We are asking Congress to remove these barriers to guarantee that we have the same opportunities, the same tools, and the same chance to succeed that every American community on the mainland enjoys.” The governor said modify...