The Senate will take up House-passed legislation to address the massive debt crisis in Puerto Rico.
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said the Senate would consider the measure by the end of the month, when Congress leaves for the July 4 recess and when the island owes a massive debt payment.
Puerto Rico, a U.S. commonwealth, is $72 billion in debt. The House-passed measure would install a control board to reform the island’s government and economy. The board would have the authority to restructure Puerto Rico’s debt.
Republicans are likely to back the bill but Democratic support is less certain. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who is still running for the Democratic presidential nomination, said he opposes the bill.
Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said he did not know whether most Democrats will back the bill.
The White House supports it, however, and that gives the bill a fairly good chance of Senate passage.
The House passed the bill last week by a vote of 297-127, with majorities in both parties supporting it.
