Congressman’s 2015‑2016 Accomplishments and Legislative Record

FIRST TERM ACCOMPLISHMENTS 2015-2016 • Named to the Committees on Agriculture and Oversight and Government Reform • Named as the Freshman representative on the Democratic Leadership Steering and Policy Committee • Named by Southern Region as Regional Whip for Democrats • Named to Leader Nancy Pelosi’s Future Forum Group. Made up of a select group of 10 Members of Democratic Conference to engage millennials in political process • Selected to President Obama’s White House Renewable Energy roundtable group • Led the Virgin Islands’ delegation to the First Caribbean Energy Security Summit in DC Successful Legislative Activity • Successfully removed the Virgin Islands and small territories from PROMESA (Puerto Rico Oversight Management Economic Security Act), which threatened VI municipal credit and borrowing ability along with self-governance • Secured VA decision to expand Choice Program eligibility for Virgin Islands resident veterans • Original Co-Sponsor of legislation to expand the VA choice program eligibility (H.R.572) • Secured House passage of the Virgin Islands of the United States Centennial Commission Act (H.R.2615) • Successfully worked to repeal the DC Budget proposal listing USVI and other Caribbean islands as tax havens which would have negatively affected our ability to secure banking and Treasury support • Led the defeat of an amendment to the transportation authorization bill (Territorial Highway Program: H.R.2353) that would have reduced federal dollars for the Virgin Islands • Defeated attempt by American Samoa and Northern Mariana to reallocate percentage of funding going to the USVI for other small territories • Secured Commitment from Army Corp of Engineers for increased personnel and resources for Virgin Islands backlog of permits • One of a small group of Members of Congress to be involved in the planning of the unprecedented “sit-in” of House Democrats for action to address American gun violence • Secured Agriculture drought relief assistance for farmers and livestock owners and commitment to keep data on territories for future assistance and to designate St. Croix a primary disaster area due to severe drought • Honored by global food and poverty groups for being a leading voice on issues affecting food and nutrition security Major Sponsored Legislation • Virgin Islands Visa Waiver Act of 2015 (H.R. 2116) — Gives expedited visa process for members of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to enter the USVI for sports, entertainment, medical, and recreational purposes. • Hire-A-Hero Act of 2015 (H.R.2457) — Gives tax credits to small businesses that hire someone in the Reserves or National Guard. • United States Virgin Islands College Access Act of 2015 (H.R. 4191) — Allows student who are residents of the VI to receive in-state tuition when applying to participating state universities. • Lobbied Obama Administration to include UVI as a community college for the President’s proposal to make 2 years free at community colleges. • Territorial Economic Growth and Recovery Act of 2016 (H.R.5163) — Introduced to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for economic recovery in the Virgin Islands and Guam, and for other purposes. • Territorial Tax Equity and Economic Growth Act (H.R.5038) — Introduced to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for economic recovery in the territories. • Co-Sponsored legislation to extend SSI benefits to the U.S. Virgin Islands (H.R.582) • Visited Dominica immediately after Hurricane Erika and hosted Dominican Ambassador in Congress. Introduced H.Res.453 with numerous co-sponsors for additional Dominican assistance Field Activities • Sponsored workshops on STT and STX for small businesses on federal contracting • Partnered with USDA for workshops (STX and STT) on technical support for Farmers • Had several town halls on St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John. • Commitment to visit ALL schools in the Virgin Islands, and currently have visited over 15 schools. Will continue to meet with heads of school, teachers AND students. • Organized and hosted first ever official roundtable discussion between VI Delegate to Congress and Virgin Islands Legislature • Organized annual “VI Advocacy Day” in Congress, focused on elevating VI issues via local business owners and advocates • Held meetings with various Regional Directors of agencies to discuss issues/concerns affecting the VI including: • HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Agency) • Customs and Border Protection • U.S. Postal Service • USPS letter carriers • HUD (Housing and Urban Development) • VA Regional Hospital in Puerto Rico Tel: 340-277-7000 www.PlaskettforCongress.com