Sen. Hirono: The Trump Administration is Not Doing Enough So Long as People in Puerto Rico Do Not Have Food, Water, and Electricity

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2 -- The office of Sen. Mazie K. Hirono, D-Hawaii, issued the following news release:

Senator Mazie K. Hirono visited the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) headquarters to receive an update on the Trump administration's response to helping Puerto Ricans recovering from Hurricane Maria. Senator Hirono heard from FEMA Acting Deputy Administrator Daniel Kaniewski and other top Administration officials on the status of federal disaster relief efforts.

"President Trump's consistent and repeated failure to recognize the full scope of the devastation in Puerto Rico has resulted in legitimate criticism of the administration's response to the crisis there. The Commonwealth's 3.5 million American citizens have every right to be frustrated," Senator Hirono said. "Today's briefing focused on the major logistical challenges Puerto Rico still faces. Progress is being made, but as long as people there do not have food, water, and electricity, the administration is not doing enough. That is the bottom line."

Senator Hirono, Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) requested the briefing following media reports of the administration's lackluster response to helping the people of Puerto Rico recover from Hurricane Maria.