U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) released a statement on his nomination by President-elect Donald J. Trump to serve as the United States Secretary of State. “Leading the U.S. Department of State is a tremendous responsibility, and I am honored by the trust President...
News
Latest News
ICYMI: Rubio Joins The World Over With Raymond Arroyo
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) joined The World Over with Raymond Arroyo to discuss President-elect Donald Trump’s historic victory, the Democrats’ response to the election, foreign policy challenges facing our nation, and more. See below for highlights and watch the...
ICYMI: Rubio Joins America Reports
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) joined America Reports to discuss President-elect Donald Trump’s historic victory, Democrats’ proclamation of “resistance,” and the failure of identity politics. See below for highlights and watch the full interview on YouTube and...
Inauguration Ticket Information
Senator Rubio's office is pleased to be issuing a limited number of tickets to President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony, which will occur on January 20, 2025 at the West Front of the U.S. Capitol. Floridians interested in receiving tickets should fill out...
ICYMI: Rubio Joins Hannity
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) joined Hannity to discuss President-elect Donald Trump’s historic victory. See below for highlights and watch the full interview on YouTube and Rumble. On the ongoing realignment among American voters: “The Republican Party now reflects...
Rubio: Republican Party Now a Multi-ethnic, Multi-racial Coalition of Hard-working Americans Who Love Their Country
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) released a statement on the historic victory of Donald Trump and Republicans in the 2024 election. “America is undergoing a huge realignment, and the Republican Party is now a multi-ethnic, multi-racial coalition of hard-working...
Rubio, Nelson Urge DOT, FEMA to Identify Interim Solutions for Puerto Rico’s Infrastructure
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Bill Nelson (D-FL) are urging the heads of the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) “to promptly assist and identify interim solutions for Puerto Rico in repairing its damaged roads and bridges.”
The full text of the senators’ letter is below:
Dear Administrator Long and Secretary Chao:
As you well know, Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico on September 20, 2017 as a major storm that has left the island in disarray. Now, more than a month later, many citizens continue to lack reliable access to essential aid and supplies due to infrastructure that has been critically damaged or destroyed. We are writing to urge the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) to promptly assist and identify interim solutions for Puerto Rico in repairing its damaged roads and bridges.
During our recent visits to Puerto Rico, we witnessed the devastation this storm caused to the island’s infrastructure, including numerous bridges that were damaged or completely destroyed. The hurricane hit rural communities in Puerto Rico’s mountainous interior especially hard, effectively cutting them off from the rest of the island. It has been reported that small communities, such as Charco Abajo in rural Utuado, have resorted to replacing bridges with makeshift pulley systems to ferry supplies across the Vivi River. While the ingenuity on behalf of local residents has helped deliver supplies to areas that federal officials overlooked, it is not a sustainable or safe solution.
- What are your agencies’ plans to ensure the delivery of aid to Puerto Rico’s isolated, rural communities in light of this infrastructure damage?
- What interim solutions can be enacted to quickly restore access to these communities?
- What are the agencies’ plans to help rebuild and repair roads and bridges on the island?
Recovery efforts in rural areas, and in communities throughout Puerto Rico, will continue to be slow if these infrastructure needs are not addressed. It is critical that FEMA and DOT work together to quickly reconnect isolated communities to the rest of the island, and begin the larger task of helping Puerto Rico rebuild its transportation infrastructure.
Thank you for your prompt consideration of this matter.
Sincerely,