On Friday, Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González Colón led a bipartisan group of Members of Congress in writing a letter to President Trump to request further assistance to Puerto Rico.
“We commend your commitment to the U.S. territory and the around-the-clock work your agencies and personnel are carrying out,” the letter began. “Your recent decision to amend the major disaster declaration for Perto Rico and aprove a 100 percent federal cost-share for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance, for 180 days from the date of the declaration on September 20, 2017, is essential to recovery efforts.”
The Members of Congress requested additional assistance from the President. “Conditions on the island remain dire,” the letter continues. In recognition of the “long and arguous recovery” ahead, the Members request a 100 percent federal cost-share for repair and restoration (also known as “permanent work”) under the Public Assistance Grant Program for eight months.
The reasoning behind this request is that while progress is being made, “there is a tremendous amount of work ahead of us to address critical issues, such as power, communications, transportation, health care and education.”
In closing, the letter requests again the consideration of the Members’ request to grant 100 percent federal cost-share for repair and replacement efforts in the wake of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. “This will provide great relief to our citizens, local government and expedite the recovery process in Puerto Rico,” the letter explains.
The following representatives signed the letter: Rep. Charles Dent (R-PA), Rep. Susan Brooks (R-IN), Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX), Rep. Brendan F. Doyle (D-PA), Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Rep. Sean Duffy (R-WI), Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-FL), Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-PA), Rep. Don Young (R-AK), Rep. Peter King (R-NY), Rep. Ted S. Yoho (R-FL), Rep. Thomas MacArthur (R-NJ), Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-FL), Rep. Darren Soto (D-FL), Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), and Rep. Rob Bishop (R-UT).
A copy of the letter can be viewed by clicking here.
