Hoyer: It Is Crucial That the Trump Administration Muster Every Federal Resource Possible To Help Americans in Puerto Rico & U.S. Virgin Islands

WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today on the need for the Trump Administration to use every federal resource possible to help our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands:

“Millions of Americans living in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands have been struggling with the devastation of Hurricane Maria and the earlier Hurricanes Irma and Jose.  The challenges they are suddenly facing are serious and immediate.  The destruction wrought by these storms can only be characterized as a humanitarian crisis – one demanding a rapid response from our government.   That is why it is crucial that the Trump Administration muster every federal resource possible to help our fellow Americans impacted by these storms. 

“While the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is working to provide relief, much more needs to be done given the scope and magnitude of the challenge facing the people of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  Federal assistance is required for search-and-rescue operations, debris removal, the restoration of essential services, and the provision of emergency medical aid and supplies.  Every federal agency that can help ought to be helping, from the Department of Defense – for transportation, security, support, logistics, and the repair of critical infrastructure by the Army Corps of Engineers – to the Departments of Energy, Homeland Security, and Health and Human Services. 

“While the immediate focus must be life and safety and the recovery and restoration of services, over the longer term the federal government must work with the commonwealth and territorial governments to ensure that rebuilding is done in a way that mitigates damage from future storms.  We ought to be investing in infrastructure and construction on the islands that will not simply be destroyed again when the next storm hits but that can withstand it. The people of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands need our help and support to come back from this disaster stronger and more prepared than before.  I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure that Congress provides all funding necessary to ensure that all Americans affected by these storms can recover and rebuild.”