The United States Supreme Court has ruled that people living in the US territory of Puerto Rico are not entitled to the same federal welfare benefits provided to citizens living in the country’s 50 states.In an eight-to-one decision on Thursday, the top court ruled against a Puerto Rico resident who argued that not receiving benefits allocated to low-income elderly and disabled Americans – known as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) – violated his constitutional right to equal protection under the law.The justices argued that the US Constitution gives Congress broad authority over federal taxation and benefits in Puerto Rico, noting that residents of the Caribbean island do not pay federal income tax.
Load More
Load More