1、CRS Legal Sidebar Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress Legal SidebarLegal Sidebari i Equal Protection Does Not Mean Equal SSI Benefits for Puerto Rico Residents, Says Supreme Court April 28, 2022 On April 21, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court decided United States v. Vaello-Madero, a case aski
2、ng whether the equal protection guarantee in the U.S. Constitutions Fifth Amendment requires Congress to provide the same federal benefits (specifically, Supplemental Security Income SSI benefits for the aged, blind, and disabled) to Puerto Rico residents as to residents of the 50 states. In a rulin
3、g that reaffirmed Congresss constitutional authority to treat territorial residents differently as long as it has a rational basis for doing so, the Supreme Court determined that the Fifth Amendment does not require Congress to extend SSI benefits to Puerto Rico residents. The Supreme Courts decisio
4、n reversed the determinations of both lower courts. This Sidebar discusses the legal arguments advanced before the Supreme Court before analyzing considerations for Congress. Background Facts of the Case While living in New York, Jos Luis Vaello-Madero became eligible for, and began receiving, SSI d
