::THE SLICE REPORT WITH MONA AUSTIN

Pres. Joe Biden released a statement on this. Statement by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. on Puerto Rico Today, the Department of Justice will file a brief in the Supreme Court in the case United States v. Vaello-Madero, which addresses whether a provision in the Social Security Act that declines to provide Puerto Rico residents with Supplemental Security Income (SSI) violates the Constitution’s equal protection principle. This provision is inconsistent with my Administration’s policies and values. However, the Department of Justice has a longstanding practice of defending the constitutionality of federal statutes, regardless of policy preferences. This practice is critical to the Department’s mission of preserving the rule of law. Consistent with this important practice, the Department is defending the constitutionality of the Social Security Act provision in this case. As I have stated, I believe that Puerto Rico residents should be able to receive SSI benefits, just like their fel...