WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), the Highest Ranking Latino in Congress, today spoke on the Senate floor demanding that the supplemental disaster package introduced by Senate Republicans include increased relief measures for Puerto Rico’s recovery The senator’s remarks came days after Trump complained to Republican senators that Puerto Rico is getting ‘too much hurricane relief funding’.

Excerpts from Senator Menendez’s Senate floor remarks:

“Just imagine how many lives could have been saved had President Trump directed the Federal Emergency Management Agency to give Puerto Rico ‘the A Plus treatment’ like he did for Alabama. But for the majority Latino, Spanish-speaking island of Puerto Rico, there was no ‘A-Plus treatment. They got the ‘F minus’ treatment.”

“We in the Senate have an obligation to do what’s right with this disaster supplemental. So let me first say I’m glad everyone agrees Puerto Rico needs a fully-funded Nutritional Assistance Program for the next fiscal year. Still, it was appalling to hear the White House call the House bill’s inclusion of an additional $600 million for nutritional assistance as ‘excessive and unnecessary.’ there’s nothing excessive or unnecessary about helping 1.35 million struggling low-income Americans in Puerto Rico – many of them with small children – avoid going hungry.”

“In the face of disasters of this magnitude, we do not turn our backs on our fellow citizens. We face the challenge head on. We save as many lives as we can. We strive to stem the suffering, and we lend a helping hand. That is the American way.”

Watch the Senator’s full remarks:

Last month, Sen. Menendez urged Senate and House to include disaster relief funding for Puerto Rico in any supplemental disaster assistance package prepared by Congress.

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