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Puerto Rico crisis deepens amid clash over sworn-in governor
Source: Associated Press
Puerto Rico crisis deepens amid clash over sworn-in governor
By DÁNICA COTO
August 5, 2019
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Puerto Rico’s constitutional crisis was expected to deepen on Monday after the island’s Senate filed a lawsuit seeking to oust a veteran politician recently sworn in as the island’s governor as legislators squabble over who should lead the U.S. territory.
The lawsuit seeks a preliminary injunction ordering Pedro Pierluisi to cease his functions immediately and also asks that the court declare unconstitutional a 2005 law that states a secretary of state does not have to be approved by both House and Senate if he has to step in as governor.
“Puerto Rico is living a situation without historical precedent,” wrote Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz.
Pierluisi was named secretary of state, the next in line to be governor, in a recess appointment last week. The island’s House of Representatives then confirmed him to the position in a 26-to-21 vote on Friday, a move he argues makes him the replacement for Gov. Ricardo Rosselló.
However, the Senate had not yet voted on the appointment, and it was expected to do so Monday afternoon. It was not immediately clear if that would still happen after the lawsuit was filed late Sunday night.
-snip-
By DÁNICA COTO
August 5, 2019
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Puerto Rico’s constitutional crisis was expected to deepen on Monday after the island’s Senate filed a lawsuit seeking to oust a veteran politician recently sworn in as the island’s governor as legislators squabble over who should lead the U.S. territory.
The lawsuit seeks a preliminary injunction ordering Pedro Pierluisi to cease his functions immediately and also asks that the court declare unconstitutional a 2005 law that states a secretary of state does not have to be approved by both House and Senate if he has to step in as governor.
“Puerto Rico is living a situation without historical precedent,” wrote Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz.
Pierluisi was named secretary of state, the next in line to be governor, in a recess appointment last week. The island’s House of Representatives then confirmed him to the position in a 26-to-21 vote on Friday, a move he argues makes him the replacement for Gov. Ricardo Rosselló.
However, the Senate had not yet voted on the appointment, and it was expected to do so Monday afternoon. It was not immediately clear if that would still happen after the lawsuit was filed late Sunday night.
-snip-
Read more: https://apnews.com/457d5db3e1654a3688a897b28fa1f89d