10.04.22

Durbin, Duckworth Join Menendez, Velazquez in Bicameral Effort Urging The Biden Administration to Extend Federal Cost Share Waiver and Unlock Federal Resources for Puerto Rico

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), and Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez (D-NY-07) in a bicameral effort urging the Biden Administration to direct more resources from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to all municipalities in Puerto Rico that need assistance following the devastation caused by Hurricane Fiona. Specifically, the lawmakers asked President Biden to grant FEMA Public Assistance (PA) Categories C through G to all municipalities that need assistance and to approve a 100% federal cost share waiver for all PA work beyond the current 30-day approval.

“If this assistance is approved, Puerto Rico will have all the eligible FEMA resources available to respond effectively post-hurricane Fiona,” wrote the lawmakers to President Biden. “We thank you for granting FEMA Public Assistance Categories C through G to several municipalities, and urge an extension of the one-hundred percent cost share waiver for these categories would help ensure Puerto Rico’s restoration of indispensable infrastructure happens without delay.”

When Hurricane Fiona made landfall in Puerto Rico, residents on the island faced catastrophic flooding and rainfall, and category one winds over one hundred miles per hour. The devastation goes beyond the hurricane’s direct impact. Over three million residents across the entire island were without power for over twenty-four hours, and to this day over 100,000 customers remain without electric service. 

“Five years since Hurricane Maria, LUMA Energy and the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) have yet to adequately repair the electrical system, resulting in continued frequent and widespread electrical outages,” added the lawmakers. “These events have left Puerto Rico’s critical infrastructure and communities vulnerable to extreme weather. FEMA PA Categories C through G will unlock necessary federal assistance to permanently repair schools, railways, ports, and water control facilities to withstand future natural disasters.”

Joining Durbin, Duckworth, Menendez, and Velázquez in signing the letter are Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Ed Markey (D-MA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY-14), Val Demings (D-FL-10), Darren Soto (D-FL-09), Ritchie Torres (D-NY-15), and Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ-03).

Find the letter HERE and below.

October 3, 2022

Dear President Biden,

We thank you for your prompt approval of Puerto Rico’s major disaster declaration for Hurricane Fiona, in addition to approving a 30-day one-hundred percent cost share waiver for the island. This waiver will greatly assist entities and communities on the ground to address immediate relief and rescue efforts. However, we are concerned a 30-day waiver alone will not be enough to fully assist Puerto Rico. We request that you grant FEMA Public Assistance (PA) Categories C through G to all municipalities that need assistance and approve a 100% federal cost share for all PA work beyond the current 30-day approval.

If this assistance is approved, Puerto Rico will have all the eligible FEMA resources available to respond effectively post-hurricane Fiona. The island has faced catastrophic flooding and rainfall, and category one winds over one hundred miles per hour. The devastation goes beyond the hurricane’s direct impact; over three million residents across the entire island were without power for over twenty-four hours, and to this day over 100,000 customers remain without electric service. At least 21 lives have been lost because of the disaster.1 We thank you for granting FEMA Public Assistance Categories C through G to several municipalities, and urge an extension of the one-hundred percent cost share waiver for these categories would help ensure Puerto Rico’s restoration of indispensable infrastructure happens without delay.

Five years since Hurricane Maria, LUMA Energy and the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) have yet to adequately repair the electrical system, resulting in continued frequent and widespread electrical outages. These events have left Puerto Rico’s critical infrastructure and communities vulnerable to extreme weather. FEMA PA Categories C through G will unlock necessary federal assistance to permanently repair schools, railways, ports, and water control facilities to withstand future natural disasters.

With the approval of a 100% cost share for all Public Assistance work beyond the current 30-day approval is critical to a swift and equitable recovery of Puerto Rico. We appreciate your consideration of the request. 

Sincerely,

-30-