House approves bill to remove security escorts from convicted officials after heated debate centered on Wanda Vázquez

The House of Representatives approved a bill on Jan. 19 that removes government security escorts from people convicted of crimes, a measure that drew extended floor debate focused on the case of former governor Wanda Vázquez.

Supporters framed the bill as a matter of fairness and fiscal stewardship. Representative Félix Pérez Santiago criticized the majority for what he called inaction toward Vázquez after her conviction and urged language to make the measure retroactive, saying, “Pues queda claro entonces que el Partido Nuevo Progresista no le va a quitar las escoltas a Wanda Vázquez.” Representative Márquez LeBrón said the bill should be interpreted to bar escorts even if a later pardon occurs, urging a clear record that “no a las escoltas a personas convictas.”

Opponents and other majority members cautioned about drafting and certification errors; several speakers asked for precise textual amendments to avoid unintended legal consequences, particularly given the possibility of a U.S. presidential pardon. The debate included repeated references to a recent presidential pardon affecting the public discussion; speakers noted tension between a criminal conviction and the effect of an executive pardon on local administrative privileges.

After floor amendments were considered and several proposed changes were defeated, the House placed the measure on the final voting calendar and opened a 30-minute final vote period. The clerk reported the recorded outcome as 44 votes in favor and 0 opposed for the measure, along with a package of other bills that were approved during the same session. Leadership announced that, with the recorded results, all measures on the calendar passed.

The measure’s supporters said the intent is to remove a state-funded privilege from those convicted of crimes and to apply the rule evenly across officials regardless of party. Critics on the floor unsuccessfully sought explicit retroactive language to single out past cases.

The House recessed and scheduled a special session for Jan. 27, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. to continue business. According to the clerk’s reading of the vote, the escort-removal measure was approved as part of that package.