Hoyer Statement on the Appointment of Lt. General Jeffrey Buchanan To Coordinate the Military Response in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands

WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today on the appointment of Lieutenant General Jeffrey Buchanan to coordinate the military response in Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands:

“The appointment of Lt. General Jeffrey Buchanan to lead a coordinated military response to the devastation in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands – while it should have happened sooner – is an important step toward ensuring that every resource possible is deployed to help our fellow Americans.   The scope and scale of the damage caused by Hurricanes Irma and Maria has overwhelmed commonwealth, territorial, and local governments.   With 3.6 million Americans suddenly living without power, without fuel, without fully functional medical facilities, and without food and water security, it is critical that the Defense Department take on a larger role and apply its expertise in handling complex logistics, search-and-rescue, and engineering missions.  Now that Lt. General Buchanan will be on the ground in Puerto Rico leading a concerted federal effort, Congress must consider emergency legislation to provide additional funding to help our fellow citizens impacted by the storms recover and rebuild.”