A delegation of U.S. Democratic lawmakers pledged on Friday to accelerate Puerto Rico’s recovery from a series of natural disasters, including hurricanes and earthquakes, which has been hindered by delays in federal funding and bureaucratic obstacles. The group, led by Mississippi Representative Bennie G. Thompson, the ranking member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, visited the island to meet with local mayors and hear firsthand about the challenges impeding reconstruction efforts.

During a news conference in San Juan, Thompson acknowledged that persistent issues with reimbursement and project approvals have slowed the recovery process. “We’ll move some of those concerns into corrective actions,” he said, emphasizing that “the system should work better” to meet the territory’s needs.

Puerto Rico’s Resident Commissioner, Pablo José Hernández, highlighted a policy introduced under former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem that mandated personal approval of Department of Homeland Security expenditures exceeding $100,000. This measure significantly delayed recovery operations related to hurricanes Maria and Fiona, as well as a series of powerful earthquakes that hit the island in late 2019 and early 2020. The policy was rescinded in April by the current Homeland Security Secretary, Markwayne Mullin, but recovery efforts continue to face obstacles.

Thompson also pointed to staffing shortages within the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as a contributing factor to delays. He noted that approximately one-third of FEMA’s workforce has been eliminated, resulting in fewer personnel available to process paperwork and respond to inquiries from local officials.

The lawmakers’ visit reflects ongoing concerns about the pace of recovery in Puerto Rico, where rebuilding efforts remain heavily dependent on federal assistance. Despite recent improvements, local leaders insist that further reforms and resources are necessary to restore infrastructure and support communities affected by the recent disasters. The delegation’s commitment to addressing these issues signals an increased federal focus on expediting aid and improving coordination between agencies and Puerto Rican officials.