Call to Action: October 16, 2017

Nearly a month after Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, 85% of residents are without electricity and 40% are without running water. The Virgin Islands, hit by two Category 5 storms, also suffered extreme devastation.

Trump threatened to end aid to the islands, but the backlash was so strong that he reversed course. Trump grumbled that FEMA can’t stay in Puerto Rico “forever.” But FEMA is still in New Orleans, twelve years after Hurricane Katrina. Reconstruction there has cost more than $13 billion so far. http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/12/us/fema-puerto-rico/index.html

Last week the House passed a $36.5 billion disaster aid package covering all areas hit by hurricanes and forest fires; the Senate will take it up after the current recess. http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/12/politics/house-vote-disaster-relief-bill/index.html

The relief package is heavy on loans and light on grants – a problem since Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands had effectively declared bankruptcy just before the hurricane. Now they must accept more debt wrapped into their relief packages. And Trump’s reinstatement of Jones Act will make things more expensive.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/25/opinion/hurricane-puerto-rico-jones-act.html

Let’s urge our Senators to work for the best possible package – which offers more outright aid rather than new debt.

Ask our Senators to champion relief that will meet the islands’

REAL needs!

**ACTION 1: CALL BOTH OF OUR SENATORS **
(or leave a voice mail after hours)

SAMPLE SCRIPT:
“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon, [zip code]. Congress must quickly pass a hurricane relief package for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands — but one with grants rather than loans. Please provide real relief rather than piling debt upon the islands’ current high debt. Thank you.”

**ACTION 2: Please consider making a donation to aid hurricane victims in Puerto Rico and other islands in the Caribbean**

Here are some options. Thank you for helping to alleviate this humanitarian crisis and showing your support the hurricane victims.

Unidos: https://hispanicfederation.org/media/press_releases/a_hurricane_relief_fund_for_hurricane_maria_victims_in_puerto_rico/

Global Giving: https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/hurricane-maria-caribbean-relief-fund/

One America Appeal: https://www.oneamericaappeal.org/

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/