Congressman Deutch (FL-22) issued the following statement after voting in favor of an emergency supplemental appropriation to help disaster relief following Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria:

“I voted in favor of the emergency disaster relief supplement. The South Florida families and businesses that were hit hard by Hurricane Irma need this aid to help get back on their feet. This appropriation will also ensure that the National Flood Insurance Program continues to pay claims from the hurricanes. As its largest contributor, Floridians should be able to depend on this program.

“But this aid package is not enough. Weeks after Hurricane Maria, our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico are struggling to access food and basic aid. Most of the island is still without power, and more than a third of the island has no clean drinking water.

“Shamefully, this insufficient relief package comes on the same day that President Trump threatened these American citizens that he may prematurely remove emergency relief workers and first responders from Puerto Rico.

“When natural disasters strike – whether in Sonoma, Fort Lauderdale, or San Juan – the American people must be able to turn to Congress for help to recover and rebuild.”