WASHINGTON — The White House announced today that President Donald Trump has authorized an extension of the disaster declaration in Puerto Rico.
Under the extension, the island will receive 90 more days of federal funding for “debris removal” and 60 more days of funding for “emergency protective measures,” to help continue recovery efforts following Hurricane Maria last September.
The announcement amends Trump’s previous disaster declaration, under which federal aid would have ended in mid-March.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s response to Hurricane Maria has been heavily criticized, and recovery efforts have been marred by bungled federal contracts for disaster relief.
Almost half a year after the Category 5 hurricane hit Puerto Rico, 15 percent of the island remains without power.
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