Last month, “Hamilton” creator and Pulitzer Prize winner, Lin-Manuel Miranda, brought light to the current humanitarian and economic crisis in Puerto Rico. The artist told the media on Capitol Hill in March that lawmakers must pass legislation that would let the island restructure its massive $72 billion debt.
Yesterday, British host John Oliver did the usual political rounds on his HBO show “Last Week Tonight,” and this time, he chose to take a good look into the island’s financial woes. And in order to do that, he finalized the 30-minute episode with a song written and performed by Lin-Manuel.
The artist’s basic points throughout the rap number included that the island (which owes more than it produces in one year) is only 100 miles away, and they need relief, “not a bail out,” but relief. Miranda said that he will even go sing “Hamilton” in current Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Paul Ryan’s home if that’ll encourage them to help out.
Watch Miranda’s emotional plea around minute 19:
Unlike every other U.S. state, Puerto Rico cannot declare bankruptcy in order to restructure its financial situation and prioritize payments to get out of debt. Currently, there are to bills waiting to pass to grant the territory the right to file for bankruptcy, but the island seems to have very little support since they do not have congressional representation.
Last February, House Republicans said that they too were focused on finding a solution to the island’s “death spiral ” public service reductions and mass emigration, but results have yet to be seen.
Lin-Manuel’s initial Capitol Hill speech was also a plea which has yet to see results. “What we need is the ability to restructure and get Puerto Rico out of the hole it’s in,” Miranda said. “The town I grew up in, the bank, the travel agency, the school supply store, those are all gone. Vega Alta is a dying town,” he insisted. “The only people who live there now are the people who can't afford to leave."
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