Rep. Soto Assesses Damage in Puerto Rico Following Major Earthquakes

WASHINGTON, Jan. 14 -- Rep. Darren Soto, D-Florida, issued the following news release on Jan. 13:

U.S. Representative Darren Soto (FL-09) surveyed damage and met with victims, as well as government officials in several Puerto Rican cities. Representative Soto met with Puerto Rico's Senate Majority Leader Carmelo Rios, along with Puerto Rican Senators Bhatia, Villafane, and Dalmau who viewed damages in Ponce, Penuelas, and Guayanilla shortly after another 5.9 magnitude earthquake shook the island.

Mayor Maria "Mayita" Melendez of Ponce gave a detailed briefing about the damage that recently occurred in her city. Representative Soto also met with Mayor Nelson Torres Yordan of Guayanilla to discuss what his city needed most to recover.

"Today, I saw firsthand the terrible toll these continuing earthquakes are taking upon thousands of Puerto Ricans. In places like Ponce, Penuelas, Guayanilla, and Guanica, our fellow Americans have no rest from the onslaught of tremors. Many have moved to refugee camps because homes, apartments, schools and other buildings remain unstable.

It's time for President Trump's Administration to approve a Major Emergency Declaration and finally stop holding Hurricane Maria relief funding hostage. Congress also needs to pass earthquake disaster relief to provide emergency housing and health services, as well as to help rebuild local schools, homes and the Costa Sur power plant."