I think there needs to be a serious look from our level as to whether or not we need to continue having regional offices that are in Puerto Rico for the Virgin Islands.

I think it is unacceptable that a Federal agency that is trained to respond to disasters such as FEMA has taken this long to make a final determination regarding the status and the condition and the future of our healthcare structures.

A permanent FEMA process--presence, sorry, in the territory or enter the fact that this is to become our new reality and that a permanent presence would mean a more efficient experience.

I know that I had heated and very colorful discussions with Brock Long because FEMA of course as we know in the Federal Government only gives what is requested.

I first want to thank Chairman Farenthold for calling this hearing to examine the impact of the Federal Government's response to Hurricanes Irma and Maria in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

I was struck by testimony from some of the witnesses who talked about the psychological feeling of having waiting days...

I will also ask that you consider including the Virgin Islands in the Denton Act.

it's my understanding for most homeowners here what the insurance that they need would be in fact windstorm insurance, which for many homeowners can run over a thousand dollars a month.

I especially would like to thank the senate president, Myron Jackson, as well as all the members of the legislature for hosting us and having this hearing here in the Virgin Islands legislative building.

And do you think that that was the proper mechanism for doing it rather than having individuals here berthed and staying in shelters on the ground?

What can we do as the Federal Government and the local government working together to ensure that people who are living in homes that look like this don't have to go into the 2018 Hurricane Season like this?

Both Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, as well as Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer, wrote an opinion piece together after coming to the Virgin Islands who recognized that the Stafford Act must be amended to allow for resiliency and the hardening…

Mr. Vogel, would that be through you, FEMA, that the Rapid Repair Program is now being initiated rather than--and that's supposed to be rather than having creating temporary housing, you repaired the homes that are in place already…

I've just got to tell you that we will be here as long as it takes in order to be able to get this place put back together again and be more resilient in the future. And I'm committed to do whatever I can in order to be able to help.

Because in the testimony I have from Miss Enwright, who is with St. John with Love City Strong and others, she discusses in her testimony that it took at least three days before they were able to see the Navy and others come after Irma.

And then in terms of the assessment, in the previous panel there was a discussion about the assessment.

So if you are putting temporary housing and you are putting a temporary blue roof on a home at 25,000, then you are saying to permanently fix the roof at 25,000 does that seem like a reasonable amount for a roof?

I think people need to be aware that this is probably the only time that the U.S. House of Representatives have had a formal hearing here in the United States Virgin Islands.