Report on Grant Consolidation Authority for Puerto Rico Act

# HR 596: Report on Grant Consolidation Authority for Puerto Rico Act **What the Bill Does:** This bill asks the Government Accountability Office (GAO)—Congress's independent auditing agency—to study and report back on consolidating federal grant programs available to Puerto Rico. Currently, Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories can apply for a single consolidated grant instead of submitting separate applications for each eligible federal program. The bill would investigate whether this consolidated approach is working well for Puerto Rico. **Who It Affects:** The bill primarily affects Puerto Rico's government and residents by potentially improving how federal funding is distributed to the island.

It also requires Puerto Rico officials to cooperate with the GAO's investigation by promptly providing any information requested. **Current Status:** The bill is currently in committee (HR 596 in the 119th Congress), meaning it has not yet been voted on by the full House. It was introduced by Representative Nydia Velázquez, a Democrat from New York. The bill does not authorize any new spending—it only requests a study to examine current grant procedures.