News

Actions

House Speaker Paul Ryan tours Irma damage in Florida Keys

Posted at 7:33 AM, Sep 21, 2017
and last updated 2017-09-21 07:33:06-04

MIAMI (AP) — House Speaker Paul Ryan, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) and a handful of other lawmakers toured the Florida Keys, eyeing what will be needed to help those hardest hit by Irma rebuild.

The lawmakers were aware that a powerful Hurricane Maria was lashing Puerto Rico and would require even more resources from rapidly diminishing federal disaster funds.

Ryan said FEMA would get $6.7 million in 10 days, adding that another round of funding in October was likely.

The House Speaker has fond memories of the Florida Keys, saying he's been fishing there for years and noting that his mother is a resident of Broward County. He promised Florida residents that the federal response would be complete.