URGENT: PUERTO RICO NEEDS IMMEDIATE RELIEF

From Indivisible Oregon..

**CALL TO ACTION**
Friday September 29, 2017
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URGENT: PUERTO RICO NEEDS IMMEDIATE RELIEF
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#PuertoRicoRelief
#HurricaneMaria

Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands are in crisis, after being devastated by Hurricanes Irma and Maria—thousands of homes in ruins, roads blocked, bridges collapsed, hospitals destroyed, airports and ports damaged, and no fresh water, fuel, power or phone service. http://wapo.st/2fU3FOH

Puerto Ricans are Americans—like Texans and Floridians—but Trump administration been slow to react, despite the unfolding horror show and pleas for federal help by officials on the ground. The administration:
• took 8 days to grant 10-day reprieve from the Jones Act, which requires that goods shipped between US ports be carried by ships built/owned/operated by Americans, doubling prices for Puerto Rico http://nyti.ms/2fV6eA1
• has no plans to seek additional funds until mid-October http://cnn.it/2xEuPm5

Congress can help Puerto Rico by:
• suspending Jones Act for one year, or even a permanent waiver, so they can import basic supplies necessary for survival and rebuilding
• passing comprehensive relief package for recovery and reconstruction
• placing a moratorium on the island’s debt payments
• waiving FEMA rule requiring 25% match of federal funds
• creating a task force to address massive rebuilding, like Superstorm Sandy response
• http://nyti.ms/2wZRVF2, http://bit.ly/2ywFf4T, https://bloom.bg/2fBVmKj, http://bit.ly/2ywsAP4

Our fellow Americans are suffering.  Congress must step in and help.
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**ACTION 1: CALL BOTH SENATORS AND YOUR REPRESENTATIVE**
(or leave a voice mail after hours)

SAMPLE SCRIPT
“My name is [--] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon, [zip code]. Now that “Repeal and Replace” is dead, Congress must quickly pass a hurricane relief package for Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands with a one-year suspension of the Jones Act.  A ten day suspension is not enough. Please act now – our most vulnerable citizens need your help. Thank you.”

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**PHONE NUMBERS**

SENATOR MERKLEY
Portland: (503) 326-3386, DC: (202) 224-3753
Salem: (503) 362-8102, Eugene: (541) 465-6750
Medford: (541) 608-9102, Bend: (541) 318-1298
Pendleton: (541) 278-1129

SENATOR WYDEN
Portland: (503) 326-7525, DC: (202) 224-5244
Salem: (503) 589-4555, Eugene: (541) 431-0229
Medford: (541) 858-5122, Bend: (541) 330-9142
La Grande: (541) 960-7691

CONGRESSWOMAN SUZANNE BONAMICI [D1]
DC: (202) 225-0855, OR: (503) 469-6010

CONGRESSMAN GREG WALDEN [D2]
DC (202) 225-6730, Medford: (541) 776-4646,
Bend (541) 389-4408, La Grande (541) 624-2400

CONGRESSMAN EARL BLUMENAUER [D3]
DC: (202) 225-4811, OR: (503) 231-2300

CONGRESSMAN PETER DEFAZIO [D4]
DC 202-225-6416, Eugene: (541) 465-6732,
Roseburg: (541) 440-3523, Coos Bay (541) 269-2609

CONGRESSMAN KURT SCHRADER [D5]
DC: (202) 225-5711, Salem (503) 588-9100,
Oregon City (503) 557-1324

** After you call, please comment below and briefly share your experience!**

https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2017/9/26/16365994/hurricane-maria-2017-puerto-rico-san-juan-humanitarian-disaster-electricty-fuel-flights-facts