I thank Chairwoman Lowey and all the members of the Appropriations Committee for working diligently to bring this bill to the floor and for recognizing our moral and legal obligation of this Congress. Puerto Rico, an island invaded by the United States Armed Forces, a colony--it is our responsibility to take care of our fellow American citizens. Don't come here and say that we have been there for Puerto Rico. Yes, we passed a disaster relief package. And this administration has done everything within their power to withhold the money flowing to Puerto Rico. Don't come here and say that you have been there for Puerto Rico. Don't tell that to the parents of a 13-year-old girl who died in Vieques because they lack a functional hospital while FEMA has been withholding their money. Just this past Tuesday, Puerto Rico got hit by another 5.0 aftershock. This is one out of more than 3,000 that have stricken the island since December 2019. In fact, the USGS has estimated that aftershocks from the 6.4 January earthquake will persist in Puerto Rico for years, if not decades. Imagine, decades of feeling the ground under you shaking, never knowing when or just how bad it will be on any given day. More than 1,150 houses are destroyed, while another 3,000 homes have suffered some structural damage. Such devastation has left over 4,000 people living in tent shelters, with many more families at risk of losing their homes. The CHAIR. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.
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