Following Hurricane Helene’s catastrophic damage throughout Florida’s Gulf Coast, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) met with local officials and volunteers from the barrier islands to discuss the storm’s impact and current recovery efforts. Photos are courtesy of...
Hurricane Helene made landfall as a Category 4 storm, causing catastrophic damage along Florida’s Gulf Coast. It’s crucial for the federal government to expedite state-requested resources and authorize key policy flexibilities in order for Floridians to make a swift...
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Following the impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Debby, some local governments in Florida face looming budget shortfalls that could disrupt disaster recovery efforts. If these local governments receive reimbursements for past hurricanes from the Federal Emergency...
Following Hurricane Helene’s catastrophic path through northwest Florida, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) met with local officials and volunteers from Citrus County. Senator Rubio also met with small business owners impacted by the storm. Photos are courtesy of...
Washington, D.C. – As the recovery process continues in the wake of Hurricane Maria’s destruction, U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Bill Nelson (D-FL) today urged Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai and Commissioners Mignon Clyburn, Michael O’Rielly, Brendan Carr, and Jessica Rosenworcel to “continue to work with the Puerto Rico Telecommunications Regulatory Board (PRTRB) in addressing restoration and connectivity issues across the island.”
The full text of the letter is below:
We write to express our gratitude for the work the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has done to assist with the recovery process in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria devastated the island. The restoration of telecommunications infrastructure is critical in order for families and friends on the island to communicate with each other during this difficult time. While the recovery process is ongoing, we urge the FCC to continue to work with the Puerto Rico Telecommunications Regulatory Board (PRTRB) in addressing restoration and connectivity issues across the island.
As you know, Hurricane Maria made landfall more than four months ago, causing unprecedented destruction to the island’s telecom infrastructure. Reports indicate that 92 percent of cell sites and 67 percent of wireline services have been restored, but residents still face significant challenges, including data and power outages. The FCC plays a critical role and has the expertise and resources available to assist with the restoration process. In recognizing this, we ask that the FCC coordinate with the PRTRB in deciding how best, and with what resources are appropriate, to restore cable and wireline services to Puerto Rican families.
The ability to communicate with friends and loved ones is critical in the aftermath of a major storm. We strongly urge you to consider the unique challenges residents on the island continue to face, and work closely with the government of Puerto Rico to expedite the restoration of telecommunications services.
Sincerely,