Biden’s tour of Puerto Rico Hurricane Damage is different from the Trump visit and so was his pledge of support.
“We are not leaving here, as long as I’m president, ntil every single thing we can do is done,” he added, speaking after getting a briefing from local officials and disaster personnel on the damage from Hurricane Fiona.
As usual, President Joe Biden did not name his predecessor. But when Biden spoke to residents of hurricane-hit Ponce, Puerto Rico on Monday, his main message was clear: Unlike former President Donald Trump, I will be with you until the island recovers from another catastrophic natural disaster.
“I want you to know that I am committed, my entire administration is committed to being with you every step of the way – for as long as it takes,” Biden said.
“My asks to you, Mr. President, are straightforward,” Pierluisi said at the event. “We want to be treated in the same way as our fellow Americans in the states in times of need. All American citizens … should receive the same support from the federal government.”
Biden noted that climate change meant that such disasters are not going away. He reiterated a commitment to build Puerto Rico back “better” – making aged infrastructure and in particular, the electrical grid, more resilient to extreme weather.
“We have to ensure that when the next hurricane strikes, Puerto Rico is ready,” Biden said.