The administration of Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello Nevares made clear this afternoon that it would not accept the decision of the territory’s federally-named Financial Oversight and Management Board to make its infrastructure permitting (“Revitalization”) coordinator, Noel Zamont, the “emergency manager” and “Chief Transformation Officer” of the Electric Power Authority (PREPA). The Governor’s Secretary of… Read more »
Governor Rosselló sent a letter to Congressional leadership yesterday requesting action to address the growing crisis in Puerto Rico’s healthcare system. The letter was addressed to Senate Majority Leader Mitchell McConnell (R-KY), Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI), Senate Democratic Leader Senate Charles Schumer (R-NY), and Democratic House Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). After the House and… Read more »
Yesterday, members of Congress shared remarks about ongoing Huricane Maria relief efforts. In the Senate, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) spoke of historic injustices faced by Puerto Rico, and Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) emphasized the need to rebuild Puerto Rico’s electric grid in a more resilient and sustainable way. In the House of Representatives, Rep. Ralph Abraham (R-LA)… Read more »
On October 24, 2017, the Senate voted on national disaster relief legislation, and the following Senators gave statements regarding Puerto Rico: Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA), Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL), Sen. Patricia Murray (D-WA), Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), Sen. Chuck… Read more »
On October 24, 2017, members of Congress wrote a letter to Secretary of Education, Betsy Devos, and Director of Office of Management and Budget, Mick Mulvaney, with recommendations for education agencies in Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands. The US Department of Education will make recommendations for supplemental appropriations in the wake of hurricanes Harvey,… Read more »
On October 19, 2017, United States Senators sent a letter to Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Elaine C. Duke expressing concern about the accuracy of the death toll in the wake of Hurricane Maria. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Edward J. Markey (D-MA) explained in their letter that “[a]n accurate death toll is important for… Read more »
Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) urged the White House to appoint an experienced emergency CEO of Response & Recovery to manage federal response in Puerto Rico. The CEO would have a direct line and access to the President, the Governor of Puerto Rico, all Cabinet Secretaries, member of Congress, and local Puerto Rican officials… Read more »
In a press release issued yesterday, Resident Commissioner González Colón, in conjunction with Federal Coordinator Michael Byrne; and Captain Eric King from the Coast Guard sector in San Juan, informed the public of federal aid for the island. At this time $626,711,526 has been used for the initial response for equipment and personnel through different… Read more »
Numerous Senators yesterday offered remarks regarding pending disaster relief legislation scheduled for passage today. Please see below for full remarks by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL), Sen. Michael Lee (R-UT), and Sen. Thad Cochran (R-MS). Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT): Today, in California and across the West, families are returning to… Read more »
Two of Senator Marco Rubio’s (R-FL) former chiefs of staff, Cesar Conda and Alberto Martinez, make the case as to “Why Washington should finally make Puerto Rico a state” as first reported in POLITICO. The former senior staffers to one of only only a few Hispanic Senators reiterate the moral grounds: civil rights, support of the… Read more »
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