‘BREAKFAST WITH STACEY’ PROVIDE rESIDENTS WITH UPDATES FROM CONGRESS

Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett greets St. Thomas residents at her “Breakfast with Stacey” community engagement event recently held at Victor’s New Hideout restaurant.

Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett recently held two successful “Breakfast with Stacey” community engagement events, meeting with Virgin Islands residents across the territory to discuss federal legislation impacts, local challenges, and her advocacy priorities for the 119th Congress, according to a news release issued from the Congresswoman’s office.

The breakfast events, held at Victor's New Hideout on St. Thomas and at the King Christian Hotel rooftop on St. Croix, provided residents with direct access to Congresswoman Plaskett to discuss pressing community concerns and learn about available federal services.

"These breakfast conversations are among my favorite events because they give us the opportunity to have real discussions about the issues that matter most to the Virgin Islands community,” said Congresswoman Plaskett. “The input I receive from these gatherings directly informs my work in Congress and helps ensure that Virgin Islands voices are heard in Washington.”

During the events, Congresswoman Plaskett addressed recent federal legislation impacts, celebrating key victories including the permanent increase in the rum cover-over rate to $13.25 per proof gallon and successful protection against punitive port fees, while acknowledging challenges from the Republican Reconciliation Bill, H.R. 1's cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP as well as higher education Pell Grant and loan repayment programs that will affect thousands of Virgin Islands families.

Congresswoman Plaskett (center in red top) talks with St. Croix residents during her “Breakfast with Stacey” community engagement event recently held on the rooftop of the King Christian Hotel.

Attendees raised concerns about healthcare access, senior housing, infrastructure challenges, housing affordability, and the high cost of living. Congresswoman Plaskett outlined her legislative priorities to address these issues, including the Affordable Shipping for All Act with several Members of Congress and the Supplemental Security Income Equality Act to extend benefits to territorial residents.

“I heard directly from residents about infrastructure failures, hospital staffing shortages, and housing costs,” said Plaskett. “These local challenges require both federal advocacy and community solutions, which is why these face-to-face conversations are so critical.”

Congresswoman Plaskett emphasized maximizing federal recovery opportunities, noting that the Biden-Harris Administration’s cost-share waiver has allocated billions in funding for schools, hospitals, water systems, and power grid improvements with reduced local matching requirements representing nearly $1.5 billion in savings for the local government.

“We have an unprecedented window to complete our hurricane recovery while building economic growth,” Plaskett explained. “My district and Washington D.C. offices continues to provide assistance with federal agencies, and we are planning additional community forums because informed civic engagement is how we protect and advance our interests during these challenging times.”