Bryan’s Veto of Senior Care Bill Sparks Debate on Priorities

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr.’s decision to veto a bill allocating $20 million from the Epstein estate settlement to fund nursing and assisted living facilities has drawn sharp criticism from Sen. Dwayne M. DeGraff, who called the move a missed opportunity to expand vital services for senior citizens across the Virgin Islands.

The legislation proposed building one facility each on St. Thomas and St. Croix to address critical gaps in elder care infrastructure, with funds earmarked for Public Works to carry out architectural and engineering services. During a Finance Committee hearing on the bill, DeGraff said that suggestions from Department of Human Services representatives and several senators pointed to alternatives, such as incorporating low-income housing subsidies modeled after the Celestino A. White Senior Citizens Residence.

“This wasn’t just a bill; it was a bill for the people,” DeGraff said in an interview with the Source Wednesday. “To hear the governor veto it and redirect the funds to renovating the Sea View nursing home undermines the broader goal of creating equitable access to services across the territory.”