Luis Dávila Pernas, chair of the Democratic Party in Puerto Rico, said the US legislative elections could directly affect the stability of the federal funds Puerto Rico receives, particularly for Medicaid. In a radio interview, he explained that a change in the composition and leadership of the federal House of Representatives could make it easier to include provisions to keep that funding in place.
He considered it likely that President Donald Trump would approve them if they are part of broader budget bills needed to keep the federal government running. Dávila Pernas said he has taken part in campaign events in Georgia, Florida and Pennsylvania to build relationships with possible members of Congress and push priorities for Puerto Rico.
Among these he named Medicaid, access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Asked about a possible candidacy, he said he is focused on continuing to lead the Democratic Party on the island. He also called on Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández Rivera to focus on those federal efforts.
"Now the commissioner has to go to work, he has to be less attentive to Juan Dalmau and the cold sandwiches," he said.