President Trump told Puerto Ricans on Tuesday the U.S. island territory has thrown the federal government’s budget “a little out of whack” with its need for disaster relief funding in the wake of Hurricane Maria.
“I hate to tell you, Puerto Rico, but you’ve thrown our budget a little out of whack because we’ve spent a lot of money,” Trump said, making a joke during a briefing with local leaders at Muniz Air National Guard Base.
The president’s comments come as his administration is preparing to ask Congress for an additional $10 billion to help facilitate disaster relief and recovery operations in Puerto Rico.
Congress approved a $15 billion relief package late last month to help Texas and Florida, both of which were also struck by severe hurricanes in September.
“This has been the toughest one,” Trump said of Maria. “This was a Category 5, which few people have ever heard of.”
Trump: “I hate to tell you, Puerto Rico, but you’ve thrown our budget a little out of whack” pic.twitter.com/5z1gfqgy4F— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) October 3, 2017
