"We are deeply concerned by the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands as a result of the recent devastating hurricanes, and what has seemed to be an inadequate response by the federal government to date,” wrote Rep. Joe Crowley. | Alex Brandon/AP House Democrats want White House briefing on Puerto Rico

House Democrats want top Trump administration officials to brief the caucus as soon as possible on what lawmakers say has been the White House’s anemic response to the devastation in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

House Democratic Caucus Chairman Joe Crowley (D-N.Y.) on Thursday invited White House Chief of Staff John Kelly and acting Homeland Security Secretary Elaine Duke to come speak to the caucus, according to a letter obtained by POLITICO.


“We are deeply concerned by the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands as a result of the recent devastating hurricanes, and what has seemed to be an inadequate response by the federal government to date,” wrote Crowley and several other Democrats with close ties to Puerto Rico.

“Natural disasters know no political bounds and have no party affiliations. That is why a meeting between the both of you and the House Democratic Caucus is needed,” they added.

Democrats also say they’re concerned by reports that the White House might not send Congress a formal request for disaster aid until several weeks from now, something lawmakers say is unacceptable given the state of the two U.S. territories.

Puerto Rico remains without power and many of its 3.5 million U.S. citizens have limited access to basic human necessities including food and clean water. The U.S. Virgin Islands and its more than 100,000 inhabitants were also devastated by the storm.

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Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have chided the Trump administration for what they say is an indefensibly slow response to help the territories after they were devastated by Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

The White House said Thursday it would temporarily grant Puerto Rico a reprieve from the Jones Act, a decades-old law that blocks non-U.S. ships from transporting goods to the island.

The Trump administration denied a similar request two days ago, with the president telling reporters Wednesday that the shipping industry had objected to granting the waiver.

But some Democrats criticized the move saying the waiver — which will last for 10 days — doesn’t provide nearly enough time for supplies to get to the island to start the rebuilding process. DHS has said the waiver can be extended if necessary.

Democrats, in the letter, inviting Kelly and Duke, say the administration should also be sending telecommunication supplies to Puerto Rico to restore phone service and refrigeration units for food and medicine.

“We also cannot forget that residents of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are citizens of the United States, and they are deserving of our federal government’s full attention and resources,” the lawmakers wrote.

Other members who signed the letter include House Democratic Caucus Vice Chair Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.), Reps. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.), José Serrano (D-N.Y.), Luis Gutiérrez (D-Ill.), Darren Soto (D-Fla.) and U.S. Virgin Island Delegate Stacey Plaskett.

