Washington - When it comes to Puerto Rico, the press in the federal capital and in most of the United States is focused on who will be attending the New York Puerto Rican Day Parade, or on the battle being waged in the San Juan federal court for the $72 billion the island owes its creditors.

At just a week to go until the controversial plebiscite on Puerto Rico's political status, there is very little published about the fact that hundreds of thousands of Puerto Ricans will cast their vote next Sunday.

The plebiscite will be happening less than six weeks after the government of Puerto Rico—with the approval of the Fiscal Control Board (FCB)—filed for bankruptcy in court to restructure the debt and protect itself against many of its creditors. Since then, the FCB and Governor Ricardo Rosselló have begun cutting back on expenses, reducing and restructuring governmental agencies, closing schools, reforming labor laws, and implementing many other austerity measures.

During his recent visit to Washington, Rosselló sought to emphasize on these reforms and on the establishment of public-private partnerships and other economic development measures, looking to reestablish the credibility and reliability of the Puerto Rican government before Congress and the White House.

'That is our best calling card,' said Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González, who accompanied the governor in his visits to members of congress and officials from the Trump administration.

This is crucial during these months, when lobbying efforts are being spent in Congress to obtain an additional $600-million allocation this year for health services in Puerto Rico, aside from the $296-million Medicaid fund allocation included in the April omnibus bill currently under consideration.

But Rosselló asserted that the main reason for his visit was to promote the plebiscite in Washington.

'We want to make sure that the leadership in Washington is aware of our process and expectations to have a final solution to the 500-year-old colonial dilemma in Puerto Rico, and to the 100 years we've spent having the US citizenship without being entitled to all its corresponding rights,' Rosselló stressed.

Initially, the plebiscite included the alternatives of statehood and independence/free association. Sectors from the Popular Democratic Party (PDP) and other groups opposing statehood suggested that they would be boycotting the plebiscite.

The pro-statehood administration sent the US Justice Department the ballot and accompanying educational materials to be used in the plebiscite, as stated in PROMESA, so as to be able to receive the $2.5 million in federal funds to offset expenses.

After several protests from Puerto Rican groups, and after eight senators in Washington sent a letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions decrying that the Commonwealth (ELA) had not been included as a 'viable option', a Justice Department official rejected the ballot. Objectors expressed that failing to include the Commonwealth, a definition for free association, and an explanation about the permanence of the US citizenship could result in misunderstandings.

Rosselló and the Legislature amended the ballot, as per the suggestions issued by the US Justice Department. During their visit, the governor and the statehood advocates joining him in Washington asserted that, by amending everything verbatim, as recommended by the Justice Department, they understand that the definitions—and therefore the plebiscite—have been endorsed by the federal officials.

'It's understood that we are in perfect compliance... And there is no reason, and there should be no excuse, to acknowledge the Puerto Rican people's right to participate in a plebiscite,' Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz stated during the visit.

But US Justice representatives clarified that the new ballot has not been evaluated or approved. 'Any statement to the contrary is incorrect,' the representative warned.

The fight for the plebiscite and the status during this fiscal crisis would seem to be ill-timed. Right now, the Justice Department has other issues to worry about, such as the investigation on the ties between Russia and President Trump's electoral campaign and advisors.

Besides, the effort spent to fight for a plebiscite or our status is time robbed from more pressing issues, such as the $600 million needed to cover the island's health care services until September 30, 2018.

There are also discussions in the press and the US legislature about the concerns that arose during the PROMESA debate: the use of similar processes to allow states to file for bankruptcy, which is currently prohibited by law.

Senator Charles Grassley (Iowa), one of the eight senators who denounced that the Commonwealth had not been included in the ballot to be used next Sunday, cited press releases while stating that the lenders who analyze the financial difficulties in the state of Illinois consider Puerto Rico to be 'Illinois's ghost of Christmas future'—alluding to the ghosts of Charles Dickens's renowned novel, A Christmas Carol.

'The editorial wondered how much more difficult it would be for states to borrow money, if lenders knew the states could shirk their obligations in bankruptcy when the debt comes due,' noted Senator Grassley, who presides over the Committee on the Judiciary, in statements made to his colleagues in the Senate.

'Those who dismissed concerns that PROMESA would set a troubling and dangerous precedent should take notice and make sure that a one-time piece of legislation does not create a new norm,' Grassley added.

In spite of current circumstances in San Juan or Washington, Rosselló affirms that the only way to fix Puerto Rico's economic and legal problems in the long term is by simultaneously working to confront the status issue.

Meanwhile, the resident commissioner assured that the House Committee on Natural Resources, or one of its subcommittees, would be holding hearings on the plebiscite and the status after the people cast their vote.

'We're not asking for their blessing or permission. We are informing Congress that we, the people of Puerto Rico, will be holding a plebiscite and taking action,' Rosselló remarked.

'And we will be expecting results and actions on their behalf, as soon as the 3.5 million US citizens residing in Puerto Rico make their move,' the governor added, issuing a challenge of sorts.

It remains to be seen if Congress will accept this challenge.