Editorial Board

What Congress Owes Puerto Rico

Democrats and Republicans must unite to help 3.4 million Americans.

October 6, 2017 at 12:00 PM UTC

By The Editorial Board

The Editorial Board publishes the views of the editors across a range of national and global affairs.

This land is your land.
Photographer: Ricardo Arduengo/AFP/Getty Images

Provide news feedback or report an error

Site feedback:

Take our Survey

President Donald Trump's visit to Puerto Rico on Tuesday brought more disruption and controversy -- to the markets and the island -- than aid and comfort. Fortunately, there is a better model to provide for both the immediate humanitarian needs of these Americans and the long-term health of their economy.

But it will take the kind of sustained bipartisan focus that yielded last year's legislation to stabilize the commonwealth's finances.