Stacey Plaskett

But the Virgin Islands Government, Governor Mapp, did not go into the contract negotiations until he knew that Brock Long had agreed to begin the reimbursement at a reasonable amount for each one of those homes; is that correct?

Why would you expend the money for the program if you didn't think that the Federal Government was going to reimburse you for it, which is how the STEP program works?

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…

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 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?

And how long did it take for all of the troops to actually be able to come on the ground?

And did you receive a request before the storms to be prepared to come?

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

So you'll send the report to FEMA and then FEMA sends the report to the Governor. Is that how that works?

And then that report goes to our Governor and then goes to the Federal partners in FEMA as well to make a determination of what reimbursement will take place?

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

So your position is more advisory in terms of what should be needed and what specs you all would be willing to support?

I believe that FEMA should have a permanent presence in the territory, that they should literally be here year-round.

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.

There are so many people that we lost during these hurricanes.

We need to be able to use military planes so that individuals in the mainland who want to send supplies are able to do so.

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

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.

It is my opinion, as the chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on Hospitals and Human Services, that the assessment by FEMA of the structures is too slow.

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.

As a policymaker, I think we must address the following: A more effective and timely process by the Army Corps of Engineers with roof coverings after a storm.

To better prepare ourselves for future hurricanes, I've worked with Congress to introduce H.R. 4782, the Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands Equitable Rebuild.

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.

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.

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.