Call to Action: September 29, 2017
URGENT: PUERTO RICO NEEDS IMMEDIATE RELIEF
#PuertoRicoRelief
#HurricaneMaria
Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands are in crisis, after being devastated by Hurricanes Irma and Maria—thousands of homes in ruins, roads blocked, bridges collapsed, hospitals destroyed, airports and ports damaged, and no fresh water, fuel, power or phone service. http://wapo.st/2fU3FOH
Puerto Ricans are Americans—like Texans and Floridians—but Trump administration been slow to react, despite the unfolding horror show and pleas for federal help by officials on the ground. The administration:
• took 8 days to grant a 10-day reprieve from the Jones Act, which requires that goods shipped between US ports be carried by ships built/owned/operated by Americans, doubling prices for Puerto Rico http://nyti.ms/2fV6eA1
• has no plans to seek additional funds until mid-October http://cnn.it/2xEuPm5
Congress can help Puerto Rico by:
• suspending Jones Act for one year, or even a permanent waiver, so they can import basic supplies necessary for survival and rebuilding
• passing a comprehensive relief package for recovery and reconstruction
• placing a moratorium on the island’s debt payments
• waiving FEMA rule requiring 25% match of federal funds
• creating a task force to address massive rebuilding, like the Superstorm Sandy response
• http://nyti.ms/2wZRVF2, http://bit.ly/2ywFf4T, https://bloom.bg/2fBVmKj, http://bit.ly/2ywsAP4
Our fellow Americans are suffering!
Congress MUST step in and help!
**ACTION 1: CALL BOTH SENATORS AND YOUR REPRESENTATIVE**
(or leave a voice mail after hours)
SAMPLE SCRIPT:
“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon, [zip code]. Now that “Repeal and Replace” is dead, Congress must quickly pass a hurricane relief package for Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands with a MINIMUM one-year suspension of the Jones Act. A ten day suspension is not enough. Please act now – our most vulnerable citizens need your help. Thank you.”
SENATOR MERKLEY
Portland: (503) 326-3386, DC: (202) 224-3753
Salem: (503) 362-8102, Eugene: (541) 465-6750
Medford: (541) 608-9102, Bend: (541) 318-1298
Pendleton: (541) 278-1129
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/contact/
SENATOR WYDEN
Portland: (503) 326-7525, DC: (202) 224-5244
Salem: (503) 589-4555, Eugene: (541) 431-0229
Medford: (541) 858-5122, Bend: (541) 330-9142
La Grande: (541) 960-7691
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/contact/
WHERE’S CONGRESSMAN WALDEN
DC (202) 225-6730, Medford: (541) 776-4646,
Bend (541) 389-4408, La Grande (541) 624-2400
https://walden.house.gov/contact-greg/email-me
https://www.vox.com/…/hurricane-maria-2017-puerto-rico-san-…
