September 26, 2017

Congresswoman Barbara Lee: Congress Must Act Immediately to Provide Urgent Relief to Hurricane Impacted Areas

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement in response to the devastating impact of recent hurricanes in the U.S. and Caribbean.

“Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Jose have torn through the Florida Peninsula and the Texas coastline, leaving millions of Americans without food, shelter or electricity. Now, Hurricane Maria has brought more devastation, slamming into Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands and countries in the Caribbean.

“As we provide support and funding for those suffering in the aftermath of this year’s hurricane season, we must not forget that these hurricanes wreaked havoc on the U.S. Virgin Islands and throughout the Caribbean. My heart breaks for the families who face an arduous road to recovery. Additionally, the fragile infrastructure in the Caribbean has left these communities especially vulnerable to hurricanes. Given these circumstances, it is essential that we act quickly to provide aid to alleviate suffering and expedite the recovery.

“It is unconscionable that Congress has been in session for two days without taking a vote to send vital resources to those hardest hit by these catastrophic hurricanes. Today, I call on Congress and the Trump Administration to take immediate action and send emergency support to the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and countries across the Caribbean to show our friends and neighbors that they are not forgotten.”

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