Update: On the Ground in Puerto Rico
Dear Friend,
This week, I travelled with my colleagues to Puerto Rico to get updates on the island’s recovery in the wake of multiple natural disasters, including recent earthquakes. Our delegation was led by House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and included Congresswomen Nydia Velázquez and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
I’ve now witnessed the devastation and destruction in Puerto Rico firsthand and I can tell you that our fellow Americans need our assistance so that they can rebuild their communities and their lives. The devastation caused by back-to-back natural disasters cannot be overstated.
I’m so grateful to all those who met with our delegation, including Governor Wanda Vázquez Garced’s Cabinet; Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González-Colón; FEMA officials; the Government of Puerto Rico’s Central Office for Recovery, Reconstruction and Resiliency (COR3); Puerto Rican National Guard personnel; Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) authorities; educators and parents; and mental health professionals, to share their stories and help us see the situation on the ground.
Our fellow Americans are suffering and cannot wait any longer. The Senate needs to step up and immediately send much needed aid to Puerto Rico by passing the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief and Puerto Rico Disaster Tax Relief Act.
Snapshots from Puerto Rico
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One of our first meetings was with FEMA to get an update on recovery efforts. |
We had the opportunity to giving our thanks to New York firefighters who went to Puerto Rico to help with recovery |
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As a former educator, I was devastated to see the damage caused to Agripina Seda School Guanica, a school in southern Puerto Rico. |
We toured a temporary school and met with its principal. We need to do all we can to get these students and educators back into proper schools. |
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The Costa Sur power plant services 20% of Puerto Rico and is still offline. The power plant is just one example of the critical infrastructure that still needs to be repaired. |
Our last stop in Puerto Rico was at a center for displaced individuals and families. There, we met with mental health professionals, some pictured here. The care they are providing is compassionate and needed after so much destruction. |
As always, your concerns still and always will remain my top priority. Please do not hesitate to email me through my website.
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Sincerely,
Carolyn B. Maloney
Member of Congress