DNC Chair Tom Perez released the following statement on the anniversary of Hurricane Maria:

“One year ago, more than three million Americans in Puerto Rico faced one of the worst natural disasters in the history of the island. The storm’s devastation demanded swift and decisive action from the president, but Donald Trump watched and waited. He failed to immediately authorize all of the disaster-relief tools at FEMA’s disposal. And it was a week before he lifted the Jones Act, preventing desperately-needed supplies from reaching the island. Homes were destroyed, stranded families cried out for help getting food and water, and sick patients lost access to life-saving care as hospitals struggled to operate without electricity.

“Ultimately, nearly 3,000 American citizens died because of Hurricane Maria. And as their families still mourn and seek answers, the president has had the gall to deny the truth about the death toll while declaring that he did a fantastic job. This is the terrible cost of incompetence and cruelty in the Oval Office. Democrats believe that the federal government has a solemn responsibility to protect American citizens, especially in the wake of natural disasters. And we will hold Trump and Republican lawmakers accountable for their failure to lead on Election Day.”

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