Tel: 340-277-7000 FOR CONGRESS UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS FIRST TERM ACCOMPLISHMENTS 2015-2016 Named to the Committees on Agriculture and Oversight and Government Reform Named as the Freshman representative on the Democratic Lead- ership 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 pro- gram 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 Trea- sury 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 www.PlaskettforCongress.com 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 com- munity 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 “V! 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 You Go HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_024294










