Kamala Harris visits Puerto Rico for first time as vice president
Vice President Kamala Harris visited Puerto Rico, going to a town that got federal housing funds to rebuild after Hurricane Maria and marking the island's 151st anniversary after abolishing slavery.
Vice President Kamala Harris arrived in Puerto Rico early Friday afternoon to embark on her first visit to the U.S. territory since being sworn in three years ago.
According to her office, the purpose of the trip is to highlight President Joe Biden's "commitment to supporting Puerto Rico’s recovery" following hurricanes, earthquakes and the Covid-19 pandemic — with a special focus in promoting the administration's investments on the island's infrastructure and economic recovery initiatives.
Her five-hour trip included a visit to an area in the town of Canóvanas that received federal housing funds disbursed by the Biden administration to rebuild homes for about 6,300 families islandwide during the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in 2017.
"We're making a difference," Harris said in a speech delivered outside the home of an octogenarian Canóvanas resident that was ravaged by the hurricane and rebuilt with federal funds. The new home will be able to withstand future hurricanes and uses solar energy.
The Biden administration has invested a total of $140 billion in Puerto Rico across multiple sectors, including education and disaster response, Harris said in her speech. She also emphasized investments in small businesses, entrepreneurs, infrastructure and renewable energy initiatives.
Rating: 5