Val Demings leads congressional trip to oversee FEMA post-hurricane aid in Puerto Rico
Val Demings helps Orlo Vista weather the storm. Image via Florida National News.

demings Florida National News
‘We cannot repeat the mistakes of the past,’ said Demings, who previously received briefings in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria.

After leading a call for full coverage of post-hurricane relief costs, Democratic U.S. Rep. Val Demings is spearheading a trip to Puerto Rico, where she and other members of Congress will oversee Federal Emergency Management Agency efforts.

Demings’ Office announced the trip Friday, one day after Puerto Rico Gov. Pedro Pierluisi invited Demings to “see first-hand the devastating impact” of Hurricane Fiona, which tore through the island Monday.

In the days since, Demings has called on President Joe Biden to call for a major disaster declaration, which he did Thursday, and for FEMA to initiate a 100% cost-share of emergency aid — a move others in Congress have requested as well.

“The health and safety of the American people is my No. 1 priority,” Demings said in a statement. “It is critical that we hear directly from Puerto Rican communities and first responders on the ground so that we can evaluate Puerto Rico’s needs and FEMA’s response. We know this storm is yet another blow on top of the ongoing recovery from Hurricane Maria — a recovery that has taken far too long.

“We cannot repeat the mistakes of the past. The people of Puerto Rico deserve the best that we can deliver, and I will be expecting to see an extremely high level of professionalism, attention, urgency, and effective action from FEMA and other partners on the ground. We must make families and communities whole. Five years since Hurricane Maria, I am committed to make sure that Puerto Rico has everything they need to rebuild.”

Eight people are confirmed to have died as a result of Hurricane Fiona, which brough 85-mile-per-hour winds, heavy rainfall and flooding to the island as a Category 1 hurricane. An estimated 928,000 households remain without power.

The storm is now headed toward Bermuda and has strengthened to a Category 4, which Hurricane Maria was when it struck Puerto Rico on Sept. 20, 2017, killing close to 3,000, displacing more than 200,000 more and leaving residents without power for nearly a year.

Demings oversees FEMA work as Chair of the House Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response and Recovery in partnership with Democratic U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, Chair of the House Homeland Security Committee.

Joining her on the trip are Homeland Security Committee members Nanette Baragán of California, Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas and Ritchie Torres of New York.

Jesse Scheckner

Jesse Scheckner has covered South Florida with a focus on Miami-Dade County since 2012. His work has been recognized by the Hearst Foundation, Society of Professional Journalists, Florida Society of News Editors, Florida MMA Awards and Miami New Times. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @JesseScheckner.


21 comments

  • Fat Cammack

    September 23, 2022 at 5:11 pm

    Tom and “Impeach Biden” need a Val Demings, grilled anchovy face sit, sardine ride, tuna scrub. For desert… Nikki Fried golden shower.

    • Tom

      September 23, 2022 at 8:22 pm

      Scum bag, piece of manure loser alias Joey. Can’t get enough incest, go bang your aunt. You are a degenerate.

      • Fat Cammack

        September 23, 2022 at 9:51 pm

        You gonna get unwiped ass face sit, face scrub, raunchy rug plunge if you vote GOP babydoll. Send me money so I can eat!!!

        • Tom

          September 23, 2022 at 10:10 pm

          So mentally disturbed.
          Beyond repair.

          • Charlie Crist

            September 23, 2022 at 10:26 pm

            Dem dum ding dong ching chong ping pong soros chi com 👈This is mentally disturbed..hell… mentally crippled!

  • Impeach Biden

    September 23, 2022 at 5:35 pm

    Suddenly Val is engaged, trying to win over that Puerto Rican vote in the Kissimmee and Orlando area. Problem is she isn’t Hispanic but Rubio is. Come on Val impress us with your combat espanol.🤣

    • Ocean Joe

      September 24, 2022 at 6:06 am

      But it was ok when Rick Scott sent them 50 old FHP cars and momentarily claimed to support statehood – BTW what happened to the statehood deal?

      • Impeach Biden

        September 24, 2022 at 8:54 am

        So I have traveled to Puerto Rico for over thirty years now. I always read the San Juan Star newspaper when I am there. Statehood has been a subject for many years. Years ago the majority there was not interested. They wanted to maintain their language, customs, and culture. Now that they are on their ass financially they want us to bail them out. Put me down as not interested.

  • marylou

    September 23, 2022 at 7:55 pm

    Maybe she will run into Rubio while she’s down there.
    Did you know Rubio said that abortion ban exceptions meant to protect the health of pregnant women are “a massive loophole”? Like he thinks women don’t have a right to health or life. VOTE OUT THIS MISOGYNIST!

    • Tom

      September 23, 2022 at 8:26 pm

      Abortion is a 10% issue, you absorb 9.5% of it. Some people do not agree with you. You are the stalker.
      My God, get a grip.

      • Joe Corsin

        September 23, 2022 at 9:56 pm

        Gonna get a smack!

    • Impeach Biden

      September 23, 2022 at 8:53 pm

      Do you have anything else besides abortion or DeSantis wearing a flight suit? Is that all you Dems got? That won’t stem the Red Storm coming.

      • Charlie Crist

        September 23, 2022 at 9:54 pm

        The man has done nothing but woo crowds of idiots with right wing propaganda, write worthless laws as stunts, and claim victory because the wind blew. Also vote buying if you consider that an accomplishment..

        • Impeach Biden

          September 24, 2022 at 5:34 am

          You must be talking about Biden and his student loan BS. That was nothing more than a vote buying scheme.

          • Charlie Crist

            September 24, 2022 at 8:55 am

            Dems don’t have to buy votes. They have the majority of voters already. All one sane individual has to do is look at GOP actions over the last 20 years and it’s a no brainer. However, deplorables gonna deplorable and so will the people that grift off of them.

          • Impeach Biden

            September 24, 2022 at 9:46 am

            Simple question that every Republican should ask this next election cycle. Are better off now or before Jan 2021, with respect to inflation, fuel prices, crime, border security? That’s why Joe Biden has to buy votes.

          • Charlie Crist

            September 24, 2022 at 11:07 am

            👆Buncha 40 year old right wing propaganda. And blaming the Dems? When Reagan started us down this terrible path? You people ought to be annihilated for what you’ve done to this country.

  • Richard Bruce

    September 23, 2022 at 8:27 pm

    More than eight people have died on the Mexico border. When is she going to do something about illegal immigration?

  • Fat Cammack

    September 24, 2022 at 9:17 am

    Vote for me baby. I’ll pull gargantuan cheeks apart n have a seat! Face sit! 🍩💋

  • Tom

    September 24, 2022 at 10:21 am

    750 illegals died at border this year.
    75 trying to cross river. 100’s in desert.

    No biggie to Biden/Harris, incompetent Harris says border secure. Dems had meltdown when America’s Gov, Gov Kahones sent 50 illegals to the Martha’s vineyard.

    Bursted the liberals, and media’s bubble.
    America’s Gov calls out the Dem extremists every day.

    70% Americans feel unsafe in their neighborhoods. Really bad for Dems.

    Americans lost $4,200 earnings under incompetent Biden/Harris.

    Just atrocious presidency.

    • Fat Cammack

      September 24, 2022 at 11:04 am

      Well you could always vote for me babydoll. If not… perhaps I will push you down, stand over you, spread humongous ass cheeks, and let my feet fly out from underneath me. Pound your face with azzhole.. repeat many times!🍩💋

Comments are closed.


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