Rep. Yoho Requests Water and Food Deliveries Continue to Puerto Rico; FEMA Confirms

Press Release

Representative Ted Yoho and colleagues send request to FEMA following the announcement they would "Officially shut off" it's food and water mission on the island.

Washington, D.C. -- Congressman Ted S. Yoho (R-FL) and over two dozen colleagues in both the House and Senate signed onto a letter urging FEMA to continue distributing supplies of food and water in Puerto Rico following an announcement the agency would cease operations.

The letter to Administrator Long dated January 30th states:

"We respectfully request the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) continue distributing supplies of food and water in Puerto Rico. Many U.S. citizens in Puerto Rico continue to struggle, some lacking access to power or running water, 133 days after Hurricane Maria devastated the island. Many Puerto Rican localities still face significant challenges accessing basic needs, and FEMA has played a critical role in ensuring Puerto Ricans across the island are receiving these goods and services. Now is not the time to remove this life-sustaining assistance.

"Puerto Ricans in some parts of the island are struggling to make ends meet with limited access to food, water, and other supplies. Many towns are still inaccessible by vehicle, making it difficult to distribute adequate supplies. Families will continue to leave the island if their basic needs are not met -- the most fundamental of which is food and water.

"We urge you to continue distributing food and water aid in Puerto Rico until the situation on the island has substantially improved."

Following the delivery of the bicameral and bi-partisan letter, FEMA spokesman Willian Booher stated in an interview with NPR that, "FEMA will continue providing food and water to communities on the island that need them."

Representative Yoho pleased with FEMA's decision released the following statement:

"My colleagues and I are relieved with FEMA's decision to continue providing food and water to Puerto Rico as the island makes the long journey toward recovery. There tends to be a mentality in Washington of "out of sight, out of mind' and "the crisis of the day' which I find unacceptable. Puerto Rico will not be forgotten on our watch, and we will do everything we can to rebuild the Island.

"I am very proud to be a part of a group of lawmakers who are keeping an eye on recovery efforts in Puerto Rico, and I commend Administrator Long and the folks at FEMA for recognizing and correcting their critical error."

In addition to working on recovery efforts in Puerto Rico, Rep. Ted Yoho has maintained an active role in recovering monies owed to local counties and municipalities in North Central and North East Florida following Hurricane Irma. Additional information on those efforts can be obtained by calling Rep. Yoho's Gainesville office at (352) 505-0838.

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