WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, on Thursday applauded Senate passage of disaster aid relief funding that included $900 million to replenish Puerto Rico’s nutrition assistance program and to rebuild Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricane Maria. The legislation also requires the administration to make $8.9 billion in previously withheld aid to Puerto Rico available in 90 days. In 2017, Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, killing an estimated 3,000 people and destroying 75,000 homes. More than 275,000 people of Puerto Rican descent live in Connecticut. 

“Connecticut is the proud home of many Puerto Rican families. When Hurricane Maria hit the island, Connecticut welcomed families seeking refuge with open arms. Unfortunately, President Trump and Republicans in Congress slow-walked getting Puerto Rico the aid it desperately needed. I’m glad we finally broke through that gridlock today, and we must ensure this aid is not withheld again. Puerto Ricans are Americans, and we need to help the island rebuild,” said Murphy.   

Last year, Murphy and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) traveled to Puerto Rico to see first-hand the devastation this storm caused to the island, and shortly after announced federal funding to help schools, school districts, and institutions of higher education – including those in Connecticut – to meet the educational needs of students who were displaced by the hurricane. Murphy delivered a speech on the floor of the U.S. Senate where he demanded Congress give Puerto Rico and its residents the equal political and economic status they deserve. 

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