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The proposal would cut in half the portion of the federal payroll tax paid by employees for five years, reducing it from 6.2% to 3.1%. It also calls for greater technical assistance to the island and a series of reports on the territory’s public pensions and health care. (Timiraos, 12/9)

The Republicans’ measure would include up to $3 billion in cash relief, a payroll tax break for residents of the island and a new independent authority that could borrow for Puerto Rico — but with no taxpayer guarantee. ... To get the $3 billion, the bill proposed tapping a $12 billion public-health fund created under the Affordable Care Act, for research and preventive medicine programs nationwide. The bill summary said the money was as yet “unobligated,” and could be “repurposed” with federal supervision to help tide Puerto Rico through an alarming cash squeeze this winter. ... On the details of how to revive Puerto Rico’s failing pension system, or changing the way doctors on the island are paid by federal programs like Medicare, the bill proposes only further study. (Williams Walsh, 12/9)

Lawmakers from New York are leading a determined campaign for legislation to compensate and provide health care for first responders and survivors of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. The bill has languished in Congress despite widespread support. (Peterson, 12/9)