Trump administration officials visiting Puerto Rico

Source: The Hill




BY BRETT SAMUELS - 12/19/17 10:01 AM EST

Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson are expected to visit Puerto Rico on Tuesday to assess the island’s recovery from Hurricane Maria, Reuters reported.

The two Trump Cabinet members will reportedly receive briefings on rebuilding efforts and learn how federal aid is being used to assist residents.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved hundreds of millions of dollars in federal assistance, and House Republicans on Monday introduced an $81 billion disaster aid package to assist areas hit by hurricanes and wildfires.

The Trump administration’s initial response to the damage caused by Maria has been harshly criticized as inadequate. Three months after the hurricane, a large portion of the island is still without full electrical capacity, and many are without power at all. Complicating matters, Puerto Rico has a $72 billion debt to the United States. A number of Puerto Rican and U.S. officials have called for the debt to be forgiven as the island continues its recovery.



Read more: http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/365575-trump-administration-officials-visiting-puerto-rico