The White House on Tuesday chastised Republicans for ignoring its proposal from last year to help Puerto Rico escape its debt crisis, but said officials are relieved that the GOP finally appears ready to act.
Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said the House plans to push a Puerto Rico relief bill soon, although other GOP leaders noted that it would not come before May 1 when the island defaults on its first debt payment.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said he’s glad that Ryan is now on board with helping Puerto Rico, but pointed out that the administration put out a legislative proposal aimed at addressing the island’s debt problems 188 days ago. Earnest added that Puerto Rico should be “held accountable” and follow through on financial reforms including a Medicaid overhaul, Earnest said.
During a “CBS This Morning” Tuesday morning interview, Ryan said Congress is focused on helping the island restructure its debt.
“We are focused on Puerto Rico,” he said.
House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., later said it wouldn’t be possible for Congress to pass a bill to help the island before it defaults on a May 1 payment when $450 million in debt payments are due.
“I don’t see how we reach that,” McCarthy told reporters Tuesday.
