The Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration (PRFAA) dedicates to the task of ably representing and advancing the interests of the Government of Puerto Rico before federal, state, and local governments. As the Office of the Governor of Puerto Rico, PRFAA is focused on promoting Puerto Rico’s economic and public policy initiatives to achieve a better quality of life for our citizens. In carrying out its responsibilities, PRFAA works closely with agencies throughout the Government of Puerto Rico, as well as with Puerto Rico legislative leaders, mayors and other stakeholders to serve as a liaison between the Federal Government, Congress and The White House.
Like other states, PRFAA’s focus areas include economic stimulus and development, transportation funding, energy, healthcare including Medicare and Medicaid, as well as issues that affect veterans and our national defense.
Collaborating with the Resident Commissioner to assist her as she represents in Congress the 3.2 million U.S. citizens of Puerto Rico, a constituency more than six times greater in size than that of any other Member of Congress.
Serving as a primary focal point in the nation’s capital for the Governor, the Governor’s staff, and senior state officials.
Providing guidance and support to individuals, businesses, municipalities and other organizations in successfully navigating the federal grants process.
Providing status reports on federal initiatives and representing the island’s priorities in Washington, D.C.
Communicating with national, regional and specialty media on issues of importance to the Governor and Puerto Rico.
Serving as a point of contact for state citizens and businesses in their contacts with the Washington, D.C. community.
Governor Pedro Pierluisi started his professional career in Washington D.C. with former Resident Commissioner Baltasar Corrada del Río. Afterwards, he practiced as a trial attorney in D.C. for six years. Pierluisi returned to work in 1990 and during the four-year period from 1993 to 1996 he served as Puerto Rico’s Secretary of Justice. As the chief legal officer of our government, he published numerous opinions and argued two important constitutional cases before the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico, supervised over 500 lawyers and prosecutors, and stood out in the fight against crime, achieving the designation of Puerto Rico as a High Incidence Drug Trafficking Zone. Mandated by the White House, he lobbied Congress for the passage of President Clinton’s Anti-Crime Act. Before returning to public service, he was in a prestigious law firm for more than 10 years. Pierluisi served as the nineteenth Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico in Washington from January 2009 to December 2016. During his tenure in Congress, he compiled an impressive record of achievements in multiple areas. Secured billions of dollars in federal funds and tax credits for Puerto Rico under the Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and worked to ensure that Puerto Rico and the other US territories received a fair deal in the Federal Health (ACA) which tripled the number of federal funds granted to Puerto Rico to finance the public health system. Similarly, Pierluisi worked to advance multiple concrete actions by federal agencies around public safety, economic development, education, health and environmental protection.he former Resident Commissioner has always advocated to ensure fair treatment for American citizens, including a relentless fight to achieve equality for Puerto Rico under all federal programs and under all United States laws that can only be achieved with statehood. The people of Puerto Rico voted overwhelmingly in November 2020 in favor of the Island becoming a state of the American nation and Pierluisi is committed to achieving it.
