Floor Statement regarding cockfighting prohibition in the territories

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to communicate my utter disappointment with the inclusion of extending the prohibition of cock fighting in the territories in the Farm Bill before use today. While there are some very beneficial provisions that will benefit the largest constituency of any House member; over 3 million American citizens on the island of Puerto Rico, the inclusion of this amendment will detract from the other high points of this bill.

The Agricultural Improvement Act contains multiple provisions that improve accessibility to grants and programs on the island. For that I am extremely grateful and confident this will be helpful for my constituents. However, I cannot dismiss the negative impact that prohibiting cock fighting, specifically cockfighting, will have on the island's economy, and on the livelihood of thousands of my constituents.

Since the 2002 Farm Bill, Congress has included the very same wording of the Animal Welfare Act. In other words, cockfighting is prohibited in the United States but is legal if the state or territory regulated the event and the bird is not in interstate commerce.

This issue has not been thoroughly vetted either, Mr. Speaker. There have been zero hearings either at the full or sub-committee level on the topic of cockfighting. I would invite any member who wishes, to come to Puerto Rico and see how regulated this industry is. It is a way of life for some of my constituents, and I fear that if this language is adopted, it could turn some people underground as overburdensome laws and regulations often do. We could see a black-market pop up and encounter more harm than good to the birds or those who participate.

Mr. Speaker, I have been against this amendment since it was originally considered. I spoke against it then and I continue to be completely opposed to it now. This industry is highly regulated in Puerto Rico by the local government through Act 98 of 2007. This law regulates all aspects related to cockfighting, including cockfighting venues, referee and breeder licensing, rules for construction of venues, penalties for events held in unauthorized venues and behavior when attending cockfighting events.

Another troubling fact is that the territories were not given a proper chance to debate this issue. We were not consulted in the drafting of this amendment, at any committee markup, or as a Congressional courtesy. I find it very disingenuous to legislate on a member's Congressional district without giving them proper notice or even bringing the issue up prior to a markup on a committee they do not sit on.

Additionally, due to our territorial status, we are not even allowed to vote against this provision, even though we knew how detrimental it would be, since the very beginning of the Farm Bill debates.

Furthermore, according to the Cockfighting Affairs Office in Puerto Rico, this industry represents over 12,000 direct employees, 15,000 indirect employees and generates over $18 million dollars in revenue.

This might not seem like a significant amount but losing it will have devastating effects on Puerto Rico's economy. Especially considering the island is still recovering financially from the devastation of hurricanes Irma and Maria. Times like these, with recovery efforts still underway, call for protecting the island's sources or income, not limiting nor eliminating them.

Many of my constituents are concerned with how this prohibition will hurt them and their families. As Puerto Rico's sole representative in Congress, it is my responsibility to advocate on behalf of every American citizen living on the island. I am looking forward to engaging in further discussions regarding this issue during the upcoming Congress and would like to respectfully encourage my colleagues to join me in the same.

Thank you and I yield back.