UPDATED: McCarthy, Hoyer Lead CODEL to U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Florida Keys

WASHINGTON, DC – House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (CA-23) and House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) are leading a Congressional Delegation from Thursday, October 26 through Saturday, October 28 to see the devastation and recovery efforts in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Florida Keys after Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Natural Resources Committee Chairman Rob Bishop (UT-01) and Reps. Jeff Denham (CA-10), Norma Torres (CA-35), and Anthony Brown (MD-04) will join them on the trip.
 
“We are committed to supporting our fellow citizens throughout the country as they recover and rebuild from the devastating natural disasters that hit this fall,” said Leader McCarthy. “As Congress continues to work with the Administration and local authorities to ensure communities receive the resources they need, this trip to Puerto Rico, South Florida, and the U.S. Virgin Islands will underscore the bipartisan commitment to immediate and long-term support.”
 
“Over one month after Hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and the Florida Keys, our fellow Americans continue to face a humanitarian crisis,” said Whip Hoyer. “We are taking this delegation to these areas to see first-hand the challenges residents face. I remain committed to ensuring that the federal government is providing every available resource to assist those in need and help these communities rebuild.”
 
To start the trip, the delegation will receive a briefing on the hurricane response at Coast Guard Air Station Miami. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01) will attend the briefing in Miami with the delegation.
 
In the U.S. Virgin Islands, the delegation will visit St. Croix, which was devastated by Hurricane Maria. They will see damage in Frederiksted, including a condemned school and a destroyed post office, before traveling to Christiansted to tour the Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital, which sustained extensive damage. Delegate Stacey Plaskett will accompany the delegation during their visit to St. Croix.  
 
In Puerto Rico, the delegation will visit the interior of the island, touring damage in Utuado and meeting with community leaders and residents. Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González-Colón and Governor Ricardo Rosselló will join the delegation on their tour.
 
In the Florida Keys, the delegation will view damage in Marathon and tour a debris removal site before receiving a briefing on recovery efforts from the US Coast Guard, FEMA, EPA, and others at Coast Guard Sector Key West. Rep. Carlos Curbelo (FL-26) will join the delegation for this visit.

Press availabilities during the trip:

U.S. Virgin Islands
Friday, October 27
1:00 p.m.
Press Availability at the VI Port Authority Conference Room, Henry E. Rohlsen Airport, St. Croix
 
Puerto Rico
Friday, October 27
4:00 – 4:40 p.m.
Press can join the delegation at the Regional Staging Area in Utuado
 
Friday, October 27
5:30 p.m.
Press Availability at the SJU Puerto Rico Air National Guard Hangar 

Credentialed media attending the press avail at the hangar must RSVP to Mariel Saez at Mariel.Saez@mail.house.gov.