Puerto Rico is still reeling after a Category 4 hurricane hit the island last week, and 146 Democratic lawmakers on Wednesday called on President Donald Trump to send more help, per a report in The Hill.
"We know there are DOD elements helping today, and all the service members involved are working very hard, but we are concerned that the scale of DOD assets supporting the operation are inadequate," the Democrats wrote in a letter to the president.
"Thus, we write to urge you to further mobilize the Department of Defense to immediately deploy additional assets in support of Puerto Rican and U.S. Virgin Island recovery efforts."
Rep. Nydia Velazquez, D-N.Y., organized the letter.
Trump has been criticized for his response to the damage on the island from Hurricane Maria, and over the weekend focused on his opposition to professional football players kneeling during the national anthem, comments that triggered responses from many professional athletes and have dominated the news cycle.
The president said Tuesday a massive effort to help Puerto Ricans recover is underway and the Pentagon on Wednesday announced it was sending a one-star Army general to oversee the recovery efforts as well as a hospital ship.
Many of the 3.4 million U.S. citizens on the island are without food, water, or electricity.
"With millions of U.S. citizens stranded in remote areas without basic necessities, engineers are needed first to clear the roads," wrote the Democratic lawmakers. "Additional aviation assets are needed to get relief supplies to isolated locations. Additionally, substantial ground and air logistics support is required to get aid to the islands, rescue stranded citizens and provide them with supplies and thereafter assist with the restoration of power and telecommunications infrastructure if needed."
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