Readout of the First Meeting of the White House Working Group on Puerto Rico

Today, Domestic Policy Advisor Susan E. Rice, National Economic Advisor Brian Deese, and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Julie Rodriguez chaired the inaugural meeting of the White House Working Group on Puerto Rico, which President Biden committed to establishing to provide Puerto Rico the resources and technical assistance it needs to recover and prosper.

Participants in today's White House Working Group meeting discussed the President's plan for Puerto Rico grounded in dignity, equity, and respect, and his commitment to supporting a full recovery for the island from Hurricanes Maria and Irma, the 2020 earthquakes, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic. This means not just rebuilding but investing in the long-term resilience of the island so that its communities and infrastructure can withstand future disasters.

Participants received briefings from the Departments of the Treasury, Housing and Urban Development, and Education, as well as the Federal Emergency Management Agency on their efforts to advance a comprehensive and holistic approach that sets the island on a course for future prosperity.

Participants in today's meeting included:

• Xavier Becerra, Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services
• Pete Buttigieg, Secretary, Department of Transportation
• Miguel Cardona, Secretary, Department of Education
• Jennifer Granholm, Secretary, Department of Energy
• Deb Haaland, Secretary, Department of the Interior
• Ali Mayorkas, Secretary, Department of Homeland Security
• Tom Vilsack, Secretary, Department of Agriculture
• Mary Walsh, Secretary, Department of Labor
• Isabel Guzman, Administrator, Small Business Administration
• Michael Regan, Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency
• Shalanda Young, Acting Director, Office of Management and Budget
• Wally Adeyemo, Deputy Secretary, Department of the Treasury
• Don Graves, Deputy Secretary, Department of Commerce
• Kath Hicks, Deputy Secretary, Department of Defense
• Adrianne Todman, Deputy Secretary, Department of Housing and Urban Development
• Malcolm Coles, Acting CEO, Corporation for National and Community Service
• Lt. General Scott Spellmon, Chief, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
• David Bibo, Acting Associate Administrator for Response and Recovery, Federal Emergency Management Agency
• Gina McCarthy, Director, Office of Domestic Climate Policy
• Gene Sperling, American Rescue Plan Coordinator
• Jeff Zients, COVID Response Coordinator
• Cristobal Alex, Deputy Secretary, Office of Cabinet Affairs