Expressing continued support for the people of Puerto Rico, and urging the Federal Government to expedite the rebuilding of Puerto Rico's electrical grid.

Legislative Summary: H.Res. 124

Overview

H.Res. 124 is a House Resolution expressing continued federal support for the residents of Puerto Rico. The primary focus of the resolution is to call for the immediate and expedited rebuilding of Puerto Rico's electrical grid, which has remained unreliable and inadequate since the landfall of Hurricane Maria in 2017.

Purpose and Intent

The resolution serves as a formal statement of urgency from the House of Representatives. It highlights a persistent humanitarian and economic crisis on the island characterized by:
* Frequent Power Outages: Unreliable service impacting the health and safety of over 3 million American citizens.
* Economic Stagnation: High energy costs and grid instability that hinder economic growth and result in significant financial losses.
* Underutilization of Funds: The bill notes that while Congress has previously appropriated billions of dollars for reconstruction, only a small fraction of those funds have been spent.

The intent of the resolution is to pressure the Executive Branch and federal agencies to overcome bureaucratic and logistical hurdles—such as workforce capacity, supply chain disruptions, and regulatory delays—to ensure equitable infrastructure investment.

Key Provisions

As a House Resolution (rather than a Bill), H.Res. 124 does not create new laws or appropriate new funding. Instead, it establishes the House's official position and makes two primary declarations:
1. Commitment of Support: It formally commits the House of Representatives to supporting the people of Puerto Rico in restoring the island to its full potential.
2. Call to Action: It urges the President and relevant federal agencies to take "immediate and decisive action" to resolve the electrical grid crisis and build a more resilient energy system.

Affected Parties

• Residents of Puerto Rico: The primary beneficiaries who are currently facing a humanitarian crisis due to poor infrastructure.
• The Executive Branch & Federal Agencies: The targets of the resolution, who are being urged to streamline the expenditure of appropriated funds and oversee project completion.

Procedural Status

• Introduced/Referred: February 10, 2025.
• Jurisdiction: The resolution has been referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
• Sponsorship: The resolution is supported by a coalition of co-sponsors, including Representatives Pablo José Hernández, Ritchie Torres, Nellie Pou, Nydia Velázquez, and Darren Soto.