Rep. Garcia Issues Statement on Situation in Puerto Rico

WASHINGTON, Jan. 11 -- Rep. Jesus Chuy Garcia, D-Illinois, issued the following statement regarding the situation in Puerto Rico in the aftermath of the earthquakes:

"My thoughts and solidarity are with our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico. I have been closely following the life-threatening conditions caused by the repeated earthquakes in the island, where many of my constituents have family members.

"The situation is urgent--homes are destroyed and unsafe; the major power plant is not working. Lives, property and even natural wonders like 'La Ventana' have been lost. Two and a half years after Hurricane Maria, the island is still waiting for $18 billion in federal funding for recovery that Congress approved and that the Trump Administration is unlawfully withholding.

"The fundraising efforts that the Puerto Rican Agenda and other groups have begun across the United States for 'rescue, relief and rebuild' are a great example of solidarity and compassion. But our brothers and sisters in the island should not have to depend on efforts like this every time a natural disaster hits.

"I call on the President to help Puerto Ricans with the same urgency as he would if an earthquake had hit Mar-A-Lago. We must streamline the process to get Puerto Ricans the aid they deserve."