Acting Homeland Security Secretary Elaine Duke will visit hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico on Friday to help coordinate the federal government’s aide and recovery efforts.
The Department of Homeland Security announced the trip in a statement Thursday. Other senior administration officials are expected to travel with Duke as well.
According to the statement, Duke and Puerto Rican Governor Ricardo Rosselló have been in close contact throughout recovery efforts.
Hurricane Maria devastated the U.S. territory earlier this month, leaving millions without electricity or access to water. The White House in recent days has dedicated more funding and resources to aiding the island.{mosads}
Duke’s visit will come just hours after the Trump administration approved a suspension of the Jones Act, temporarily lifting shipping restrictions to Puerto Rico in order for the island to receive aid.
President Trump’s homeland security adviser, Tom Bossert, said during a press briefing earlier Thursday that the White House will submit an additional request to Congress.
Congress earlier has released nearly $7 billion in funds to the Federal Emergency Management Agency to respond to the crisis in Puerto Rico, as well as the devastation caused by two hurricanes in the Gulf region of the U.S. over the last month.
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