Democrats Urge Immediate Assistance for the People of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
MESSAGE FROM THE DEMOCRATIC WHIP
The U.S. citizens of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are facing a humanitarian crisis following devastation from Hurricanes Maria and Irma. This week, Democrats in Congress called on the Trump Administration to deploy every resource possible to bring relief to the people living without food, clean drinking water, power, fuel, and functional medical facilities. While it should have happened sooner, I believe the appointment of Lt. General Jeffrey Buchanan will streamline the efforts to deploy the full strength of the Armed Forces to help our fellow Americans. I am also urging House Republicans to take up legislation as soon as possible to provide additional resources.
Instead of focusing on this crisis, Republicans held a day-long retreat to announce their tax reform framework that is not a serious plan to achieve tax reform. It provides tax cuts to the wealthy while leaving behind the middle class and would explode the deficit. Real tax reform ought to come from a bipartisan process, not this one sided, partisan exercise.
In addition, I was pleased to see Senate Republicans decide not to bring their TrumpCare bill - which would have kicked millions of Americans off their coverage and raised health care costs - to the Floor for a vote. I urge Republicans to abandon repeal and instead resume bipartisan efforts with Democrats to improve the Affordable Care Act. Finally, Democrats remain focused on protecting DREAMers. This week we filed a petition to force a vote on the DREAM Act. All House Democrats have signed the petition and we are urging Republicans to join us. I’d also like to remind DREAMers that October 5 is the deadline to reapply for DACA. Please find more information here.
Finally, I was pleased to see my friend Whip Steve Scalise back in the halls of the Capitol and wish him the best in his continued recovery.
Sincerely yours,
Steny H. Hoyer
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DEMOCRATIC NEWS UPDATE
On the Humanitarian Crisis in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
- Video: Hoyer Discusses the Humanitarian Crisis in Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and the GOP's Tax Reform Framework on CNN and Bloomberg
- Hoyer Remarks at a Press Conference with House Democrats to Call for Immediate Assistance for U.S. Citizens in Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands
- Hoyer Joins Lawmakers in Calling on Department of Defense to Deploy Additional Resources in Response to Hurricane Maria
- Hoyer: It Is Crucial That the Trump Administration Muster Every Federal Resource Possible To Help Americans in Puerto Rico & U.S. Virgin Islands
- Hoyer Statement on the Appointment of Lt. General Jeffrey Buchanan To Coordinate the Military Response in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands