Statement of Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) On The Devastation To Puerto Rico And The U.S. Virgin Islands
After Tropical Storm Irene tore through Vermont, people from across the country, Republicans and Democrats, stood by our side to help rebuild. Today, Marcelle and I stand with the people of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, which have been decimated from the double blow of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, and the victims of Hurricanes Irma and Harvey. President Trump must act quickly to put the full force of the United States government behind recovery efforts on the islands using the $15 billion in emergency funding for disaster relief Congress approved this month, but this will not last forever. The Administration should prepare an emergency aid request as soon as possible, and Congress should take it up immediately. We stand by each other in times of disaster, and we must act.
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CONTACT: Jay Tilton – 202-224-2667
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