BLUMENTHAL CONDEMNS TRUMP’S PUERTO RICO RESPONSE, IMPLORES ADMINISTRATION TO CONFRONT ISLAND’S HUMANITARIAN CRISIS
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BLUMENTHAL CONDEMNS TRUMP'
Blumenthal calls on Trump to appoint a "
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Blumenthal outlined steps the Administration must immediately pursue to address what has quickly become one of the worst natural disaster responses in America in modern history, including appointing a "czar" to oversee recovery efforts and harness the power of multiple federal agencies to bring immediate necessary aid to
"I am puzzled and perplexed that the administration is failing to treat this disaster like the logistical nightmare that the
Blumenthal's full letter to Trump is available at: https://www.blumenthal.senate.gov/download/letter-to-potus-re-pr-czar, and copied below.
President
The
Dear President Trump:
Last week, the head of the
So far, the results of the administration's response - or lack thereof - are shameful. Nearly three weeks since the hurricane made landfall, ninety percent of island residents still lack electricity. Nearly thirty-five percent of residents lack access to potable water. Hospitals and physicians complain about lack of basic medical supplies. Residents are complaining of a scarcity of nearly every commodity necessary for modern life. Reports of diseases like leptospirosis, which is caused by contaminated water, are beginning to emerge.
We need an official who is qualified and capable of taking over this challenge - someone who can lead a massive, inter-agency effort that cuts through bureaucratic lines. I urge you to appoint someone with the background and experience necessary to command and oversee dozens of agencies and missions - including the might of our military, which should be brought to bear to help anyone in need on the island. The official should be someone who won't dwell on excuses but will deal in results and is not beholden to politics, publicity or ideology. They should be skilled in emergency management and not interested showmanship. Finally, the official should work with local leaders, not tune them out and ignore their needs.
Some of my colleagues and I have already raised the need for the appointment of a czar-like official to lead recovery efforts. I hereby reiterate and amplify those concerns. As someone who proudly represents a state with the highest concentration of Puerto Ricans in
I appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to your response.
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