Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., does not support Puerto Rico's efforts to gain U.S. bankruptcy law rights. According to the Republican presidential candidate, Puerto Rico's leaders must lead through the difficult and necessary spending cuts and "out-of-control" big government.

"Allowing Puerto Rican municipalities to reorganize their debts under Chapter 9 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code would not solve Puerto Rico's problems and should only be a measure of last resort considered if Puerto Rico takes significant steps to fix its budget and economic mess," Rubio wrote in an op-ed.

Rubio's stance is different from fellow Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush. The former Florida governor said Puerto Rico's public agencies should seek the same bankruptcy rights as U.S. states. During a visit in April, Bush said in Spanish, translated to English, "Puerto Rico should be given the same rights as the states. In order for Puerto Rico to eventually become a state, it must begin by being treated as a state."

While Rubio prefers the commonwealth's leader to handle its debt crisis, he stated the U.S. can still maintain involvement. Rubio said he'll help solve the island's unemployment by creating low-paying work "more attractive" with Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) reforms. He also calls for tax reforms.

"Under my plan to repeal and replace ObamaCare, Puerto Rican consumers will be treated the same as other American consumers on the mainland. In fact, as president, I will pursue policies to make our country stronger and life better for all our citizens, including those in Puerto Rico," added Rubio.

As Latin Post reported, Puerto Rico's debt has hit over $70 billion. Elected officials from Puerto Rico and the U.S. mainland have called on Congress to intervene in the commonwealth's debt crisis. In the House of Representatives, Resident Commissioner Pedro Pierluisi, Puerto Rico's non-voting congressman, introduced H.R. 970, which would grant the island the same bankruptcy law benefits as U.S. states. The Senate also introduced a complementary bill, S. 1774. The two bills have yet to be debated.

"Puerto Rico shouldn't stand alone on their debt crisis -- but it's no surprise that Marco Rubio wants to leave one of our nation's territories out in the cold to fend for themselves," said Democratic National Committee spokeswoman Christina Freundlich. "Rubio should support restructuring Puerto Rico's debt in a way that lifts up its people, rather than preaching a failed agenda that will hurt the middle class across the board.

"Marco Rubio: out of ideas, out of touch."

Rubio has made his stance known in Spanish. A Spanish version of his op-ed was published in Puerto Rico's largest daily newspaper, El Nuevo Dia (The New Day).

As a U.S. territory, Puerto Rico's population does not vote in the general presidential elections, despite being U.S. citizens. Puerto Ricans, in the island, are able to vote in the presidential primaries.

Rubio also supports a federal-sponsored vote to determine Puerto Rico's statehood.

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For the latest updates, follow Latin Post's Politics Editor Michael Oleaga on Twitter: @EditorMikeO or contact via email: m.oleaga@latinpost.com.

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