DeLauro Statement on New Official Puerto Rico Death Toll, Trump Statement

NEW HAVEN, CT (August 29, 2018) – Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today released the following statement regarding the new official count of Puerto Ricans who died following Hurricane Maria. The official death count now stands at 2,975, up from the previous count of 64.

"It is unconscionable that it took nearly a year for officials to update the death count to reflect the tragic loss of life in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria. And it is mind-boggling that President Trump thinks his administration did a ‘fantastic job' knowing what we know now. At an increase of nearly 50 times what was previously reported, Hurricane Maria's devastation was orders of magnitude worse than the United States government admitted. This update is crucial to the families and friends who lost a loved one, as well as for the federal government to assess its response to this catastrophe."

"When I visited Puerto Rico in January, I witnessed firsthand the devastation and the inadequate conditions residents were forced to endure. I have also fought to secure additional funding for Medicaid, to rebuild WIC clinics, and for the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, which helps children deal with the physical and emotional consequences of the traumatic stress they have undergone. Still, there is more work to be done—including conducting rigorous oversight and holding hearings should the Democrats take the majority in the next Congress. If Americans on the mainland had been hit by this type of natural disaster, there would not be a question about providing the resources necessary to recover. Our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico deserve that same level of commitment from the Congress."