The Puerto Rican Diaspora Must Vote to Preserve Biden's Advancements

Opinion for The Latino Newsletter

Editor’s Note: A condensed version of this opinion piece first appeared on Wednesday in the Letters to the Editor section of The Philadelphia Inquirer. The author is also our guest this week on The Latino Newsletter podcast.

As the United States stands on the threshold of a pivotal decision regarding its future, Puerto Rico’s future also hangs in the balance.

President Joe Biden’s steadfast commitment to the archipelago and its people has emerged as a significant and hopeful shift away from more than a century of neglect and discrimination. His unprecedented support has helped set Puerto Rico on a positive path forward that must be continued if we want to achieve a just recovery.

Throughout his tenure, President Biden has not only acknowledged the longstanding struggles faced by Puerto Ricans but has also taken concrete steps to ensure their well-being and prosperity.

When Hurricane María ravaged Puerto Rico in 2017, the island found itself in dire need of assistance and recovery but instead faced unjust hostility and discrimination in Washington, D.C. President Biden, upon assuming office, swiftly dismantled the harmful restrictions placed by his predecessor, enabling a more seamless flow of billions in much-needed relief and recovery funds. This decisive action marked the beginning of a series of initiatives that would strengthen the federal government’s relationship with Puerto Rico under the Biden administration.

One of the key milestones in this journey was the inclusion of Puerto Rico in the American Rescue Plan. Through this legislation, Puerto Rico received nearly $4 billion in additional recovery funding and saw enhancements to critical support programs such as equitable access to the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Credit for the first time, direct financial aid for families and small businesses impacted by the pandemic, and increased nutrition assistance for vulnerable populations, among others. These provisions not only provided immediate relief but also laid the foundation for long-term economic stability and resilience on the island.

Central to President Biden’s support for Puerto Rico’s future is ensuring Puerto Rico can achieve its goal of 100 percent renewable energy by 2050 and, most importantly, that no lives are ever put at risk again due to a power outage. After Hurricane Fiona, he doubled down on that goal and announced U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm would spearhead this effort. Since then, she and her team have embarked on a mission to fast-track Puerto Rico’s energy transformation, making numerous visits to impacted communities, meeting with diverse stakeholders, providing technical assistance, and making substantial investments in solar energy infrastructure and resilience that prioritize the most vulnerable residents and communities.

The inclusive and participatory nature by which Secretary Granholm has advanced her work on the island has also been a hallmark of the engagement carried out by other key members of the administration, including Vice President Kamala Harris, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Marcia Fudge, Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves, and President Biden himself, who have all visited Puerto Rico in a historic and unparalleled showing of support.

The Hispanic Federation, the nonprofit organization I have the great privilege of leading, has had the honor of hosting and organizing many of the meetings and gatherings the administration’s leadership has had with community stakeholders on the archipelago, facilitating a direct line of communication between Biden’s team and the people of Puerto Rico.

As we approach the next presidential election, Puerto Rican voters across the 50 states find themselves in a position of significant influence. The diaspora, dispersed across key swing states such as Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia, and Wisconsin, holds the power to shape the trajectory of Puerto Rico’s relationship with the United States.

While reflecting on President Biden’s legacy of support and investment in Puerto Rico, it is crucial to remember that the gains we have made are tenuous and can be lost. Voters have the opportunity to elect a leader who will continue this crucial work and uphold the administration’s commitment to the island and its citizens.

To my fellow Puerto Rican voters, as we get set to vote in November, let us safeguard these advancements made and choose a path that honors and perpetuates this legacy of support for Puerto Rico and our people.

About the Author

Frankie Miranda is the first openly gay president and CEO of the Hispanic Federation, the nation’s premier Latino nonprofit membership organization. Hispanic Federation seeks to empower and advance the Hispanic community, support Hispanic families, and strengthen Latino institutions.

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_{The Latino Newsletter welcomes opinion pieces in English and/or Spanish from community voices. You can email them to our publisher, Julio Ricardo Varela. The views expressed by outside opinion contributors do not necessarily reflect the editorial views of this outlet.}