Congress responds to HF Letter Demanding Removal of Hurdles to CARES Relief Aid
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 4, 2020
Contact:
Gaby Benezar-Acosta
917-723-0506
gbenezar@hispanicfederation.org
On May 26, 2020, Hispanic Federation presented a letter to Congressional leadership urging them to mandate the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) to lift additional administrative and bureaucratic requirements imposed on Puerto Rico that would dramatically slow down the island’s use of the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER Fund) and the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund (GEER Fund.) Both funds were created in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) in order for U.S. states and territories to quickly adapt their education systems to the effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
On June 3, 2020 33 members of Congress swiftly responded to Hispanic Federation’s call for action by sharing their own letter to USDE Secretary, Hon. Betsy DeVos, requesting the Department “consider Puerto Rico’s unique circumstances and immediately cease any additional preconditions to, or delays in, disbursing GEER and ESSER funding.”
Frankie Miranda, Hispanic Federation President, reacted to their letter: “We are pleased to see so many Congressional member share our outrage at the Trump administration’s most recent interference in Puerto Rico’s equitable access to critical emergency funding - this time directly aimed at children’s education and safety. Congress must ensure the island immediately receives their share of CARES Act education funds as intended by this important bipartisan legislation,”
The Hispanic Federation letter was endorsed by more than 40 non-profit organizations from Puerto Rico and the U.S. diaspora who in addition to their traditional work have been actively responding to the island’s COVID-19 emergency as well as involved in the island’s recovery from recent economic and natural disasters.
The Governor of Puerto Rico, Hon. Wanda Vásquez Garced first wrote to USDE Secretary, Hon. Betsy DeVos, on May 18th requesting the department lift the unexpected requirements and allow Puerto Rico to use the urgently needed funding.
