Plaskett Blasts Supreme Court For Ruling That Continues Territory's Exclusion From Supplemental Security Income
Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett blasted the U.S. Supreme Court for what she said was an unfair ruling that continued the territory's residence exclusion from the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program.
2022-04-22 12:18:01 - VI News Staff
“The Supreme Court’s decision to reverse the lower court and the appeals court ruling and side with the discriminatory practice of inequitable treatment of people living in the U.S. territories is reprehensible," the congresswoman said. "Justice Sotomayor was the sole dissent. Not only did the Justices receive information that the people of the territory fight in all our wars and contribute, but they also received information that we pay significant taxes."
Supplemental Security Income is a Federal income supplement program funded by general tax revenues (not Social Security taxes): It is designed to help aged, blind, and disabled people, who have little or no income; and. It provides cash to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter.
She added, “I know all my constituents and other people in the territories are extremely disappointed by the decision. Once again, we are reminded of and kept to second class citizenship and treatment. I am particularly disappointed in the Biden Justice Department for appealing the decision of the federal appeals court that was clearly in favor of SSI being rightfully extended to our U.S. territories. Once again, we find ourselves with an administration that does not have the will to fight and overturn the Jim Crow segregationist, racist Insular cases rulings. What possible justification can there be to uphold a ruling that prevents elderly and disabled people from receiving vital support for basic necessities like food and shelter?"