The Jones Act lifted! Now what can you do to help Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands?

CALL TO  ACTION

• Ask MOC’s to approve immediate disaster relief funding for Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands. Failing to send immediate aid to residents of Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands would be inhumane and potentially far more disastrous for these U.S. citizens who deserve aid and funding as much as Texans and Floridians. Let our reps know that the Jones Act has been temporarily lifted for ONLY 10 DAYS, which is not enough for true disaster relief. Ask them to pus for a longer waiver.
• Donate to hurricane relief efforts such as Center for Popular Democracy, United for Puerto Rico, Puerto Rican National Chamber of Commerce (every dollar matched by the Chamber), Banco Popular Foundation, Caritas Puerto Rico, Ciencia Puerto Rico, Disaster Relief Fund for Puerto Rico, Center for a New Economy, Ricky Martin for Puerto Rico, Solidarity Brigade for Puerto Rico (Amazon wishlist), Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief Fund, and for wildlife Save a Sato or Save a Gato. For the NY Mayor’s Fund donate at nyc.gov/donate and HispanicFederation.org/donate.
  You can also text “unidos” to 41444.

Sen. Orrin Hatch (202) 224-5251 (DC) // (801) 524-4380 (SLC) // (801) 375-7881 (Provo) // (435) 634-1795 (St. George) // (801) 625-5672 (Ogden) // (435) 586-8435 (Cedar City)
Sen. Mike Lee 202-224-5444 (DC) // 801-524-5933 (SLC) // 435-628-5514 (St. George) // 801-392-9633 (Ogden)
Rep. Rob Bishop (Congressional District 1): 202-225-0453 (DC) // 801-625-0107 (Ogden)
Rep. Chris Stewart (Congressional District 2): 202-225-9730 (DC) // 801-364-5550 (SLC) // 435-627-1500 (St. George)
Rep. Mia Love (Congressional District 4): (202) 225-3011 (DC) // 801-996-8729 (West Jordan)

Not sure who your U.S. Representative is? Check here.

Talking Points

At a minimum, any legislation to assist Puerto Rico during this critical time should include:

1.     An emergency spending package to the US territory to assist in relief efforts
2.     Direct the Department of Defense to provide helicopters and other emergency and rescue resources to Puerto Rico.
3.     Increase the FEMA funding level for debris removal and emergency protective measures in Puerto Rico

There’s an urgency for the U.S. federal government treat this situation as what it is — as a humanitarian crisis involving 3.4 million U.S. citizens.

For more information on the Jones Act, check out this NY Times oped: “The Law Strangling Puerto Rico“.