Tracking Recovery and Securing Federal Support
I started the week with Governor Apatang and FEMA officials for an update on recovery and relief efforts following Super Typhoons Sinlaku and Bavi. I have been closely tracking the federal response and the progress of several major requests as we work to keep recovery moving across our islands. I was very happy to see President Trump authorize an extension of 100 percent federal coverage for debris removal, emergency protective measures, and Direct Federal Assistance associated with Super Typhoon Sinlaku. This means critical response and recovery work can continue without requiring the Commonwealth to immediately take on a share of these costs at a time when our local resources are already stretched. There is still a lot of work ahead for both Sinlaku and Bavi. During the meeting, I also continued pushing FEMA for the quick implementation of Disaster Unemployment Assistance so workers who lost income because of the storms can receive the support they need. I appreciate the opportunity to sit down together, get an update on where things stand, and continue advocating at the federal level to move our recovery forward.