[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 82 (Thursday, May 16, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E609]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               SUPPORTING THE DISASTER SUPPLEMENTAL BILL

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. JENNIFFER GONZALEZ-COLON

                             of puerto rico

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 16, 2019

  Miss GONZALEZ-COLON of Puerto Rico. Madam Speaker, it is urgent to 
pass a Disaster Supplemental Bill.
  Citizens across our nation--from California to the Carolinas, from 
Florida to the Northern Marianas and Puerto Rico, are counting on us to 
pass a bill that address the urgent needs caused by natural disasters.
  The more that passage is delayed, the longer our communities will 
have to wait, because just passing the appropriation is the beginning 
of a drawn-out process.
  I know my constituents are waiting, for the 600 million dollars for 
the Nutritional Assistance Program that I have long been advocating, 
which will cover a gap in funding under the supplemental appropriations 
made in the immediate aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. As of 
last month, these residents who have not fully recovered are already 
seeing a decrease in benefits because we have yet to pass a disaster 
bill.
  They are also waiting, like those in many states and territories, for 
funds Congress already appropriated.
  For example, after 20 months later, of some 42.3 Billion allocated to 
Puerto Rico, less than half has been obligated, and only 12.6 has been 
outlayed.
  This funding is still being reviewed with great scrutiny by FEMA, by 
HUD, by the OMB Office of Regulatory Affairs.
  The funds that have been disbursed are being used to pay for work 
already done or have strict definitions as to what these funds can be 
used for.
  Conditions and requirements that slow the flow of funds has resulted 
in companies and nonprofits that did work and provided services are 
still waiting to get paid.
  So I welcome the language included in the Disaster Supplemental 
passed by the House, that provides a firm deadline for OMB to publish 
the Federal Register guidance for use of funds so things can start 
moving.
  I am also encouraged by the provision that extends the 100 percent 
federal cost share, which is essential for communities whose assets and 
sources of revenue were affected; and the language that FEMA ``shall'', 
rather than just ``may'', help rebuild to better standards. There 
provisions benefit all affected jurisdictions.
  One thing we must still address is the definition of ``critical 
services'' eligible for Stafford Act support, which today does not 
include important elements such as first responders, nonemergency major 
medical services, solid waste and stormwater management, and emergency 
supply transportation.
  That is why I presented H.R. 2242, which I proposed as an amendment 
to H.R. 2157 but was not made in order, to expand the definition of 
``critical services'' for eligibility for FEMA disaster Public 
Assistance.
  By allowing these important elements as critical services, we can 
ensure that communities will not need to deal with such a burden after 
having their own resources destroyed or exhausted in the initial 
response.
  For example, not being able to get supplies out of the port to where 
they were needed, and loss of access to major medical services, 
worsened the impact on the population in Puerto Rico.
  My proposal would amend the Stafford Act to include emergency supply 
transportation, nonemergency medical, first response and security 
services, and solid waste and stormwater management among the critical 
services for which Section 428 may be applied. I urge that my proposal 
receive the needed consideration.
  Madam Speaker, it is up to Congress to continue the support for the 
recovery of all communities affected by these disasters. Let us do 
that.

                          ____________________