Resident commissioner holds large-scale town hall on gov’t shutdown

Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández Rivera

By THE STAR STAFF

Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández held a large-scale telephone town hall with Puerto Rico residents to address the ongoing federal government shutdown, bipartisan efforts in Congress to end it, and the urgent need to protect essential programs such as SNAP, WIC and veterans’ benefits.

The event connected 14,416 constituents across the island, with an additional 2,200 viewers tuning in via Facebook Live -- a clear sign of growing public concern over the shutdown’s effects on daily life.

“After 40 days of the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history, I heard directly from the people,” Hernández Rivera said. “Mothers worried about losing access to SNAP and WIC, teachers and Head Start directors unsure if they can keep classrooms open, and students who rely on Pell Grants to continue their education.”

“These testimonies are a powerful reminder that we cannot normalize government shutdowns,” he added. “Behind every statistic are families who feel the impact every single day. As the Senate moves toward a bipartisan agreement to reopen the government, I will keep fighting to ensure Puerto Rico is included in every measure and that our programs do not stop.”

During the call, Hernández Rivera provided updates on bipartisan negotiations in the U.S. Senate aimed at restoring government operations and maintaining essential services. He emphasized that the proposal remains under discussion and must be approved by both chambers of Congress.

Hernández Rivera also highlighted his legislative efforts, including the Keep SNAP and WIC Funded Act, which he helped shape to explicitly include Puerto Rico’s Nutritional Assistance Program, known locally as PAN by its acronym in Spanish, in both the House and Senate versions. The measure would safeguard food assistance for more than 1.2 million island residents during any federal shutdown.

Additionally, he co-sponsored the Pay Our Troops Act, which ensures continued pay for members of the Armed Forces and National Guard while the government remains closed.

Attendance at the town hall more than doubled compared to the first session held on Oct. 16, reflecting the growing anxiety among U.S. citizens in Puerto Rico as the shutdown stretches past the 40-day mark.

“The people of Puerto Rico are paying attention, and they deserve answers,” Hernández Rivera said.