As Puerto Ricans who evacuated to Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria face imminent loss of their temporary housing, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson and U.S. Rep. Darren Soto on Saturday sharply criticized Gov. Rick Scott and President Donald Trump over the issue.
Democrat Nelson is facing a challenge from Republican Scott, who can’t run again because of term limits. Nelson was joined by Soto, a Democrat from Orlando, at a news conference in Hollywood.
They said Scott was all talk and no action on Puerto Rico, something they said was starkly apparent this weekend, as Saturday is the last night for hotel assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
More than 600 families from Puerto Rico have been getting housing through FEMA’s Transitional Sheltering Assistance program.
Soto said the options are bleak for families who’ve been receiving the help. Some may have to return to the island, even though services are still not fully functional after last year’s storm. He said he’s been helping others get assistance for rental housing deposits from the United Way and from unions helping relocate people.
Soto faulted Trump and Scott.
“Trump has clearly washed his hands of this terrible tragedy,” Soto said. “Here in Florida, Governor Scott chooses inaction over leadership.”
Nelson said FEMA could activate federal law providing for additional housing assistance “just like they did for Katrina victims in New Orleans” when many people relocated to Houston.
He said criticized the state’s practice under Scott of raiding an affordable housing trust fund to fill budget holes elsewhere.
Nelson said housing assistance is needed because conditions in Puerto Rico still aren’t good.
Nelson predicted election consequences as Puerto Ricans now living in Florida learn about Scott’s record.
“At the end of the day, what we want to make sure is that our Puerto Rican friends understand that elections have consequences. They know how they’ve been treated by President Trump. They remember the images of President Trump throwing paper towels into the crowd as his way of serving the people who were hurting at the time,” Nelson said. “So we’re going to remind them of that.”
He described Trump and Scott as “gran amigos,” meaning “great friends.”
“No te gusta Trump. Vota Nelson,” Nelson added, meaning “You do not like Trump. Vote Nelson.”
On Friday, Scott said in a statement that Nelson is the one who is all talk and no action when it comes to Florida.
“Bill Nelson has been a fixture in the federal government for decades, but even as this federal program comes to an end, he has focused more on Senate floor speeches and political points than real solutions or caring for families. Families from both Florida and Puerto Rico deserve better,” Scott said.
The governor said only the federal government can extend the temporary housing assistance program, and he said he has urged FEMA to support displaced Puerto Ricans. He said he’s pushed state-level efforts such as disaster relief centers at Florida airports.
Senate race
Nelson said he is optimistic about his election contest.
He said Scott has spent $25 million “pounding me with negative advertisements” and polling shows the race hasn’t moved. Both candidates are neck and neck; sometimes one is slightly ahead, sometimes the other is slightly ahead.
An NBC News/Marist Poll released Wednesday showed Nelson with 49 percent and Scott with 45 percent. A CBS News/YouGov poll released June 24, found Scott with support of 42 percent of registered voters and Nelson with 40 percent.
On Saturday, Nelson said Scott’s current job explains the numbers. “A governor is here all the time. Monday through Friday I have to be in Washington.”
He added: “This is still as close a race as it was several months ago. You will see that I am a little bit ahead as it was several months ago and $25 million of negative ads hasn’t changed it.”
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