Transcript: Mayor de Blasio Delivers Statement, Holds Press Gaggle in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico

November 5, 2015

Mayor Bill de Blasio: I want to tell you, it is an honor to be at this rally today here in San Juan. I want to thank Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, who you’ll hear from in a moment, and all the elected officials – the council members, and the senators, and assembly members who are here.

We are here in solidarity with the people of Puerto Rico because what’s happening here is wrong. It’s unfair for the people of Puerto Rico. 3.5 million of our fellow Americans are being left out in the cold when it comes to healthcare. They are not being treated the same way as other Americans when it comes to Medicaid. And this is contributing to the crisis here in Puerto Rico. It’s very important to understand – it is not just a health care crisis and a humanitarian crisis in the making, it’s worse than that. The fact that our federal government does not treat Puerto Rico fairly on Medicaid is adding to the fiscal burden on this commonwealth. It is deepening the financial crisis of Puerto Rico. These are government policies decided in Washington, and right now the policy is wrong and it’s unfair. 

So many people on this island depend on Medicaid, but Puerto Rico does not get its fair share of Medicaid dollars, and we’ve got to change that. Now, the president is showing leadership, but it’s time for the Congress to act. When the Obama administration says this is a potential humanitarian crisis in the making, we have to take it seriously. So, I am honored to be here. As mayor of New York City, I represent more Puerto Ricans than in any single city outside of this island – almost 700,000 Puerto Ricans in New York City. I‘m here on behalf of all of them, and I’m here to speak up for the 3.5 million of my fellow Americans who live here in the commonwealth of Puerto Rico. It’s time for the Congress to act – treat our Puerto Rican brothers and sisters the same way we treat all other Americans.

I’m going to say a few words in Spanish before I turn to Speaker Mark-Viverito.

[Mayor de Blasio speaks in Spanish]

With that, I have to say the speaker has been leading us all in New York City, constantly pushing all of us to action on behalf of the people of Puerto Rico. And we’re going to direct our attention to Washington through this rally and through a series of actions after to make sure the Congress acts. It’s my honor to introduce Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito.

[…]

Mayor: …Elizabeth Warren – she said something very powerful. She talked about the vulture hedge funds – the vulture hedge funds that are trying to take advantage of the crisis afflicting the Puerto Rican people. There are literally people trying to make money off of the plight of the Puerto Rican people. We can’t let that happen. It’s another reason why the federal government needs to step in and act out of fairness, and not let people profit off of the pain of the Puerto Rican people.

Speaker Mark-Viverito: And –

Mayor: Please.

Speaker Mark-Viverito: Yeah, I was just going – I’m sorry, I just think it’s important to say that obviously is a very important issue. But the solidarity is growing, and is very far and wide, and I think that that is what is demonstrated by all these elected officials being here [inaudible] to know that they have our support. But definitely when [inaudible] talks about whether or not to [inaudible] predators – we’re talking the hedge funds – the vulture hedge funds – or to pay for basic services, it really is a dire situation.

Mayor: Let’s take questions on this topic, and then we’ll take some on other topics. On this topic –

Question: Mayor, this morning some elected officials met with Governor Cuomo. I’m just curious – were you able to attend? Were you not invited? What happened?

Mayor: I flew down this morning and this is the first formal event, and I look forward to meeting with Governor Garcia after to work on all ways that we can help the Puerto Rican people. The message [inaudible] to all the Puerto Rican people is you are not alone. There are many of us in New York City and all over the United States of America who will stand by you.

Question: [inaudible] what else can you do as mayor of a big city like New York to help and make the Congress understand that [inaudible]

Mayor: This is the conversation that I’m going to – I’ve had it before with Governor Garcia, but we’re going to have a deeper conversation today after this rally about ways that we can work together to put pressure on the Congress. Again, I commend the Obama administration. They’ve put out a plan to talk about the financial situation and how to address it. They’re talking about the Medicaid crisis by extending earning of tax credit here. The Obama plan is a very strong plan for the people of Puerto Rico. Our job is to move the rest of [inaudible]. I will work with Governor Garcia and all of the leadership here, and I’m going to, in any way I can, reach out to leaders around the country to engage them, particularly my fellow mayors. I’ve also had the honor of talking to Congresswoman Velasquez about a strategy that will really have an impact in the Congress. I think this is about showing what this means in human terms. And if we don’t act, it will be a humanitarian crisis, affecting our fellow Americans. 

Question: [Reporter speaks in Spanish]

Speaker Mark-Viverito: [Speaker Mark-Viverito speaks in Spanish]

Question: Have you spoken to any Republican federal officials – Congress people about [inaudible] 

Mayor: I look forward to it. I want to follow the game plan that Governor Garcia believes is the right one. And obviously our colleagues in the Congress – Congresswoman Velasquez, Congressman Serrano – I want to follow their game plan and respect that they understand what’s going to work [inaudible]. But I’m very happy, and I think this is something that there are some Republicans who will understand is a humanitarian mission. It’s an issues of basic [inaudible] and I’ll certainly work with mayors, both Democrat and Republican, on this issue. There are many, many communities with a substantial Puerto Rican population where I think their elected officials understand what Puerto Rico means to this entire country, and I think you’re going to find some bipartisan consensus certainly in those communities. 

Question: Mr. Mayor, some New Yorkers think that you spend way too much time focused on issues outside New York City, and that you should be focusing on homelessness and crime. So, why are you here?

Mayor: We are focused every day on fighting crime. That’s why crime is down. That’s why gun arrests are up. That’s why we had the safest October in over 20 years in New York City’s history. We are doing a lot to address the homelessness crisis, spending a million more over then next four years to address that crisis. But this affects 700,000 of my fellow New Yorkers. The connection they have to Puerto Rico, the impact of the crisis on Puerto Rico and them is profound, and I think it’s absolutely appropriate to be here. I’m happy to be here with the speaker, the public advocate – I’m glad the governor is here. This is where we have to be to support the Puerto Rican community.  

Question: So, do you think New Yorkers are wrong to criticize you for your [inaudible]

Mayor: It’s never wrong to criticize. It’s never wrong to question. But the bottom line is this matters to almost one in ten New Yorkers. This is a profoundly important matter and they expect leadership. 

Other questions – any topic.

Question: Is there any sense that you could give us of the time frame until nurses, public officials –

Speaker Mark-Viverito: I think the governor of Puerto Rico indicated that last night. It’s soon – it’s within a couple of months. I mean, there’s already concerns about a shortfall of available funds. So, he should be around, but I can’t get the exact timing. But he said definitely a decision was going to be made soon.

Mayor: Look, and we’ve seen reports that the ability to pay immediate payments could end, you know, in the next month. This is an immediate crisis. And again, compare it to other situations. One of the strongest comparisons is to the bailout in 2008. The banks were in trouble – the federal government moved heaven and earth to address that crisis and to get support to the banks. Well, here are 3.5 million people in crisis. We should move heaven and earth to get them the help [inaudible]

Unknown: Alright, guys, one more question.

Question: [inaudible] PBA draft deal, so now there’s already rumblings of a work slowdown. Is this something you’re afraid of [inaudible] 

Mayor: I spoke to the commissioner about that earlier. We see no indication of that. I’m certainly not going to talk [inaudible] 

Question: Mr. Mayor, there’s been a lot of anger among police departments across the country about Director Quintin Tarantino’s indication [inaudible] for him to apologize. Do you agree? Do you think he needs to apologize? 

Mayor: I think it was a very insensitive comment. The way he said it is not the right phrase to use about law enforcement officers. And then he said it just days after [inaudible] Officer Holder. So, I can’t believe if he wants to see improvement in the relationship between police and community – he wants to see reform – that’s not the right language to use, and he should come forward and say that.

Unknown: Alright, guys, that’s all we have time –

Question: [inaudible] more off-topic questions, Mr. Mayor?

Mayor: We have a vision that we think is the right vision. We do press conferences throughout the week. There’s going to be regular opportunities for off-topic questions. Obviously, we’re going to focus a lot on on-topic questions too. I’m going to do to radio shows, TV shows, radio call-in shows, we’re going to do a lot of town hall meeting coming up. There’s going to be many opportunities for journalists to talk to me about a number of things, but also for the people to ask me questions directly. And, of course, all the key members of the administration are talking to the media on a regular basis. 

Unknown: That’s all we have time for –

Question: [inaudible]

Unknown: Marcia, that’s all we have time for.