Velázquez and Ocasio-Cortez Statement on Puerto Rico Water Crisis

WASHINGTON - Today, Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) released the following statement regarding the ongoing water crisis in Puerto Rico:

"During some of the hottest months on record, over 180,000 Puerto Rican households have been forced to live without running water for days at a time. Families cannot cook or clean, businesses cannot serve their customers, and the elderly and people with disabilities are struggling to get the water they need to live. The lack of clean water also raises the risk of dengue and other illnesses.

"The water crisis in Puerto Rico is not the result of one drought or one infrastructure failure; it is the result of federal neglect and mismanagement. We have known about the worsening condition of Puerto Rico's water infrastructure for decades, and some communities have lived with water shortages for years. But the worsening climate crisis has brought this situation to a head, as rising temperatures and droughts have pushed a collapsing system to the brink.

"Governor González has claimed that 'this situation is out of our hands.' We reject this characterization. Both the state and federal governments have funds available to address this crisis. As Puerto Ricans continue to ration water, almost $30 billion in federal disaster grant assistance sits in limbo waiting to be disbursed. The Governor and the federal government must ensure that these funds are unlocked and distributed immediately.

"FEMA has also continued the cruel policy of forcing Puerto Rico to pay for infrastructure repairs in advance and seek reimbursement later. In the midst of a crisis, FEMA must reverse course and expedite the advanced disbursement of funds to fortify the island's water system.

"Access to clean water is a fundamental human right. Right now, the Governor and the federal government must do everything in their power to affirm that right, restore water access, and make the robust investments necessary to update Puerto Rico's public infrastructure."