For immediate release
Contact:
Barragán: David Perera (202) 770-7899 Dave.Perera@mail.house.gov
McEachin: Jamitress Bowden (202) 226-0268 Jamitress.Bowden@mail.house.gov
Jayapal: Omer Farooque (202) 225-3106 Omer.Farooque@mail.house.gov
Environmental Justice Task Force Co-Chairs Call on Administration and Congress to Provide Swift Relief for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The co-chairs of the United for Climate and Environmental Justice Task Force, Congresswoman Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44), Congressman A. Donald McEachin (VA-04), and Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), urged the Trump administration and Republican congressional leaders to work in a bipartisan way to provide a robust relief package to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands in wake of Hurricanes Maria and Irma.
“A humanitarian crisis is brewing in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Trump administration and Republican congressional leaders are missing in action.
All Americans deserve swift, abundant aid in the wake of a disaster. When we fail to provide that kind of relief, low-income communities and communities of color suffer the worst and the longest. These families are more likely to live in flood-prone neighborhoods with poor-quality housing and vulnerable infrastructure. The effects of relief disparities can linger for years, which makes the inadequate aid to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands an even grosser injustice.
We call on the Trump administration and congressional Republicans to immediately provide adequate support.”
Hurricanes Maria and Irma have killed dozens of people and millions remain without power. Hospitals are running short of supplies and medicine. Drinkable water is limited. Too many people have not received federal aid, despite pleas from both governors.
###
The United for Climate and Environmental Justice Congressional Task Force was co-founded by Reps. McEachin, Jayapal, and Barragán to address the disproportionate environmental impact on communities of color, low-income families, and other marginalized groups.