/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-tbt.s3.amazonaws.com/public/E62ZOZ7HOBFY3EM4I24LW6KDVI.jpg "Electricity poles and lines lay toppled on the road after Hurricane Maria hit the eastern region of the island, in Humacao, Puerto Rico, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017. The strongest hurricane to hit Puerto Rico in more than 80 years destroyed hundreds of homes, knocked out power across the entire island and turned some streets into raging rivers in an onslaught that could plunge the U.S. territory deeper into financial crisis. (AP Photo/Carlos Giusti)")
WASHINGTON – “Where the hell is the cavalry?”
Sen. Bill Nelson asked that Thursday, imploring the military to step up involvement in Puerto Rico.
“There is a crisis in Puerto Rico where food, fuel, water and medicine is sitting at the docks and not getting out to the remote parts of the island,” Nelson said. “The situation calls for an immediate response by the U.S. military to provide security and distribution to these remote areas.”
Sen. Marco Rubio also called on the Department of Defense to ramp up “logistical engagement” to distribute relief. “This is what they do,” Rubio said during a news conference. “They’re the best responders to natural disasters on the planet. And we need to employ them.”
The urgency from the Florida senators, and a host of other political leaders in the state, comes as President Trump has been seen as slow to respond, though he’s taken action in recent days.
/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/tbt/e61fba27-044c-4f99-970d-b81462e757a7.png "Alex Leary - Former Times staffer")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/ZSVC3GX4H5FYLCMCNKADHWGO5Q.JPG "Florida’s problems with mental health system flagged decades ago")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/7ZPSAB3LBFFSJMDJC5G5YX2B3Y.JPG "This bipartisan bill in Congress would help Florida tackle harmful algal blooms | Column")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/3CIZ53W7CZP4SJTVCLIMMZLYCM.jpg "Q&A: Can Trump run for president if indicted? What happens if he’s arrested?")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/3H37Y64UBOV2LJFRZBOWCO44VQ.jpg "I may be no ‘expert,’ but I know something about teaching | Letters")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/DFOXOLQDX7S7D2BDYG7B3XOYTY.jpg "Miami women hold off Indiana rally to advance in March Madness")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/ZCWMQWZA2RETRA6KAIUD3MMK3E.jpg "Editorial Cartoons for Tuesday from Times Wire Services")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/OTSCK7CQHBFD3HXXXZE5GGWC6Y.jpg "Tampa man sought in child’s death arrested, Hillsborough deputies says")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/L24JRB5AONR5HV4YFPRCURHYP4.jpg "Student pronoun restrictions in Florida schools gets OK from Senate committee")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/5PA7GNPMVLB267FLLTS3N3RLTM.jpg "Proposed amendment would lower annual property tax increases for Florida homeowners")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/XZ6F4UQOFBGNJAJ5JMJT2MVLMQ.jpg "Rays’ Zach Eflin fitting in, building up for start of season")