Nydia M. Velázquez
09/20/2024 | Press release | Archived content
On Anniversary of Hurricane María, Velázquez Introduces Bill to Improve Data Gaps in Recovery Grants for Puerto Rico
September 20, 2024
Washington, D.C. -Today, on the seventh anniversary of Hurricane María's landfall in Puerto Rico, Representative Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) introduced the Data Improvement for Puerto Rico Recovery Act. This legislation would require federal agencies providing recovery grants for Puerto Rico to report on the critical data gaps they face while administering these grants and indicate the federal statistical products to which Puerto Rico should be integrated into.
"Seven years ago, the lives of Puerto Ricans and those with ties to the island changed forever," said Congresswoman Velázquez. "Despite the time that has passed, recovery efforts remain insufficient, and Puerto Rico continues to grapple with the devastating effects of Hurricane María. This legislation would help shine a light on the products that should take priority for the purposes of recovery and ensure the island's inclusion in those. Access to data is crucial -no recovery effort should be stalled due to a lack of information. This legislation requires federal agencies to work proactively with the Census Bureau and 12 other data-producing agencies to identify the most critical information needed to move Puerto Rico's recovery forward."
Past efforts by the Government Accountability Office (GAO)and the bipartisan Task Force on Economic Growth in PRdiscovered significant federal data gaps in Puerto Rico which can limit the government's understanding of the Island's needs and how to best distribute resources. The Data Improvement for Puerto Rico Recovery Act would build on these efforts by identifying which of the 449 existing federal statistical products Puerto Rico should be included in to better inform recovery planning and decision-making.
The Data Improvement for Puerto Rico Recovery Act is co-sponsored in the House by Representatives by: Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Alma Adams (NC-12), Delia Ramírez (IL-3), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Raúl Grijalva (AZ-7), and Bennie G. Thompson (MS-2).
For a full copy of the bill, click here.
"Seven years ago, the lives of Puerto Ricans and those with ties to the island changed forever," said Congresswoman Velázquez. "Despite the time that has passed, recovery efforts remain insufficient, and Puerto Rico continues to grapple with the devastating effects of Hurricane María. This legislation would help shine a light on the products that should take priority for the purposes of recovery and ensure the island's inclusion in those. Access to data is crucial -no recovery effort should be stalled due to a lack of information. This legislation requires federal agencies to work proactively with the Census Bureau and 12 other data-producing agencies to identify the most critical information needed to move Puerto Rico's recovery forward."
Past efforts by the Government Accountability Office (GAO)and the bipartisan Task Force on Economic Growth in PRdiscovered significant federal data gaps in Puerto Rico which can limit the government's understanding of the Island's needs and how to best distribute resources. The Data Improvement for Puerto Rico Recovery Act would build on these efforts by identifying which of the 449 existing federal statistical products Puerto Rico should be included in to better inform recovery planning and decision-making.
The Data Improvement for Puerto Rico Recovery Act is co-sponsored in the House by Representatives by: Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Alma Adams (NC-12), Delia Ramírez (IL-3), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Raúl Grijalva (AZ-7), and Bennie G. Thompson (MS-2).
For a full copy of the bill, click here.
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Issues:Puerto Rico