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[Page H71]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RELEASE FUNDS FOR PUERTO RICO
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from
New York (Ms. Velazquez) for 5 minutes.
Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday morning, southwest Puerto Rico
was struck by a 6.4 magnitude earthquake.
That seismic event followed hundreds of smaller quakes that had
rattled the region since December 28. However, Tuesday's quake
inflicted enormous damage, causing a school to collapse, killing at
least one person, and leaving almost the entire island without power.
Indeed, today, Puerto Rico's largest power generation facility, Costa
Sur, remains offline as we speak. That power plant is responsible for
40 percent of electricity generation on the island. Even as of last
night, more than two-thirds of Puerto Ricans had no electricity.
Mr. Speaker, 250,000 Puerto Ricans were without water. Hundreds of
homes were damaged. As of last night, more than 5,200 Puerto Ricans
were sleeping on the street, afraid their homes could collapse on them.
For the people of Puerto Rico, this natural disaster evokes dark
memories seared in our minds of how this administration and the Federal
Government failed, turning a natural disaster into a humanitarian
crisis.
In 2017, because of this administration's incompetence and
indifference, the Puerto Rican people suffered immensely. They endured
the longest blackout in American history, and 3,000 of our fellow
citizens lost their lives. We cannot afford to repeat those mistakes.
Sadly, today, this administration's disdain for the people of Puerto
Rico remains on full display, this time in the form of previously
approved funds that it is withholding. In response to Hurricanes Maria
and Irma, Congress passed $8.3 billion in HUD relief and mitigation
funding, resources that HUD to this day refuses to release. Let me
repeat that: The Secretary of HUD is violating the law, scoffing at
congressional intent, and blocking the people of Puerto Rico from
receiving previously approved disaster funds. This comes even after
another disaster has stricken the island.
We do not know yet how bad the devastation from this earthquake will
be. We also do not know if there will be yet more earthquakes. But this
is certain: It is unacceptable, especially now, for Secretary Carson
and HUD to stand in the way of Puerto Rico's receiving previously
allocated assistance. It is also illegal.
Mr. Speaker, these are our fellow citizens. They deserve our
compassion and our assistance. When wildfires or earthquakes hit
California or hurricanes strike Texas, Americans stand together and
assist one another. They give each other the helping hand that they
deserve. But when it comes to Puerto Rico, this administration instead
chooses to stand in the way, to block necessary aid, and to put lives
at risk.
Mr. Speaker, if these funds are not released and if Puerto Rican
people perish in the aftermath of this earthquake, then I have to say
that it will be the U.S. Federal Government that is responsible.
We cannot afford further delay. HUD must release these funds
immediately, and FEMA must get to work, helping Puerto Rico recover
from the latest catastrophe.
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