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For Immediate Release
Contact:

Darcey Rakestraw, 202-683-2467; drakestraw@fwwatch.org

Puerto Rico Debt Cancelation Bill "First Step Towards a Just and Equitable Recovery"

Yesterday, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders introduced the "

WASHINGTON

Yesterday, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders introduced the "U.S. Territorial Relief Act of 2018" that would cancel tens of billions of dollars of Puerto Rico's debt and relieve the debt of other U.S. territories ravaged by hurricanes.

In response, Food & Water Watch Executive Director Wenonah Hauter issued the following statement:

"We applaud Senators Warren and Sanders for introducing this important bill that will help the recovery of Puerto Rico and other territories ravaged by climate disasters. Before Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico was ravaged by another disaster: austerity. Policies directed at enriching Wall Street and impoverishing communities are terrible in the best of times. After Hurricane Maria, austerity measures and privatization threats as a response to Puerto Rico's mounting debt proved cataclysmic for humanitarian efforts and the island's recovery.

"Congress must pass this bill. It is a first step towards a just and equitable recovery that prioritizes safe food, clean water, and sustainable energy over Wall Street profits."

Food & Water Watch mobilizes regular people to build political power to move bold and uncompromised solutions to the most pressing food, water, and climate problems of our time. We work to protect people's health, communities, and democracy from the growing destructive power of the most powerful economic interests.

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