Doj Condemning Insular Cases

Floor Speech

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Ms. PLASKETT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak on the decision by the U.S. Department of Justice to condemn the use of the Insular Cases.

Last month, I co-led a bipartisan, bicameral letter signed by 43 Members of Congress, from both the House and the Senate, urging the U.S. Department of Justice to condemn and cease relying on the racist rulings of the Insular Cases that continue to negatively impact Americans living in U.S. territories.

The Department of Justice has finally agreed that the language is, in fact, racist and that the logic of the Insular Cases deserves no place in the law of the United States.

Residents of U.S. territories deserve fair treatment and the opportunity to determine their own political future. I am proud to see that our efforts have come to some fruition and have the Department of Justice clarify and denounce their position on those cases.

We are one step closer. We still have so much work to go to be equitable, to be treated fairly. I am asking all Virgin Islanders and all members of U.S. territories to continue the fight.

I will also continue to advocate for the reversal of the Insular Cases at the Supreme Court level and ensure the fair treatment of all residents living in U.S. territories.

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