Right now, Puerto Rico's economy is in a dire state and is almost $70 billion in debt. On Sunday night's episode of "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver," the British comedian dedicated 19 minutes to the island territory and welcomed Pulitzer Prize-winning "Hamilton" musical creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, the son of Puerto Rican immigrants, to the show to perform a heartfelt rap that urged members of Congress to restructure Puerto Rico's debt.
"Right now, Puerto Rico is like the last Tower Records: Everything's overpriced, everyone's been laid off, and there's still a weirdly large number of Ricky Martin CDs," Oliver said.
"We need to stop treating Puerto Rico like it's just a tax haven or a place to have terrifying sex with a stranger in a coconut mask, and instead, we have to start treating it like an island of American citizens whose fate is interwoven with ours," Oliver said before he introduced Miranda. "And, look, there are certainly better voices than mine to speak on behalf of Puerto Rico. Luckily, there is someone with Puerto Rican parents and an amazing voice."
"A commonwealth with not a lot of wealth, a not-quite nation, $70 billion topic of conversation," began Miranda, who was accompanied by "Hamilton" musical director Alex Lacamoire. "Hoping to God John Oliver's comical dissertation resonates with the Congress that got us in this situation. Along with suicidal tax incentive declarations, Yeah we'll pay your bonds first, close the hospital, f--k the patients. This is an island, 100 miles across. A hurricane is coming and we're running up a loss."
Last month, Miranda appeared in front of Congress and made a plea to members and said it was a "fixable problem" and even offered up "Hamilton" tickets, which are incredibly hard to come by.
During his rap on "Last Week Tonight," Miranda concluded made things personal by rapping directly to House Speaker Paul Ryan.
"It's nonpartisan, the hard part is in convincing Congress Puerto Rico matters so their heart is in the fight for relief. Not a bailout, just relief, a belief that you can pass legislation to ease our grief. Paul Ryan I'll come sing 'Hamilton' at your house, I'll do-si-do with Pelosi, I'll wear my 'Hamilton' blouse! Your citizens are suffering, stop the bleeding, stop the loss - help Puerto Rico, it's just 100 miles across."
Check out the full segment and Miranda's rap below:
