Political Quotes

“Madam Chairwoman, I thank Chairwoman Lowey and subcommittee Chairman Price for their leadership and for bringing this much-needed package to the floor today. I am pleased to see that this bill includes funding for the long-term recovery of territories impacted by recent disasters, including continued support for the electric grid's recovery. After Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico in 2017, it took an entire year to restore power to the whole island. Then last month, back-to-back earthquakes damaged Puerto Rico's main power plants and caused yet another major blackout. The people of Puerto Rico--and all Americans, for that matter--cannot be forced to grapple with blackout after blackout, especially when climate change has made catastrophic storms all too frequent. As we think about what is needed to ensure the long-term recovery of these areas, it is absolutely essential that renewable resources be part of that conversation. That is why I have introduced this simple amendment to prioritize funding for renewable energy projects, like wind and solar power, that will enhance the long-term resiliency of Puerto Rico's infrastructure. We have already seen what renewable energy can do in the aftermath of a disaster. During the blackout that followed Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rican homeowners, businesses, and hospitals waiting for repair crews actually installed their own solar panels and batteries to get their power back faster.…”