PA Congressman Feuds With CNN Host Over Puerto Rico Aid​

A U.S. Congressman from Pennsylvania and ardent supporter of President Trump got into a heated argument Thursday on CNN over the suffering of Americans in Puerto Rico, ultimately telling the host "you're making this up."

With millions on the island still suffering from the impact of Hurricane Maria, President Trump said on Twitter early Thursday morning that FEMA and first responders could not remain in Puerto Rico "forever" and that the island suffered from a financial crisis they'd created themselves.

CNN host Chris Cuomo, interviewing Pennsylvania's U.S. Rep. Scott Perry (R-4), argued that this was insensitive.

"It seems like it's just not the time to talk about it," Cuomo, a lawyer-turned-CNN correspondent and the brother of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, said. "There are people starving on that island. It's not the time to talk about their debt structure...This is not something we've ever heard about Florida or Texas."

Rep. Perry, in turn, defended the President's comments as merely realistic.

"FEMA was never meant to be on the ground in a state or community forever," he reiterated. He also touted the recovery process in Puerto Rico as a success.

"You keep saying it's a success story," Cuomo snapped, saying there were thousands still without basic necessities. "Where's the success?"

"They're not starving in the hills," Rep. Perry said. "People are there working hard every single day...You're trying to make it seem like no one is there."

Perry, whose district covers Adams and York counties in the south-central part of the state, has been a staunch supporter of President Trump in the past, in particular of his recovery efforts. He met with the President this week during his recent visit to Pennsylvania to promote his tax plan.

The argument with Cuomo reached a fever pitch when the host felt that Perry was denying reported fact.

"Less than half the country has what they need to live," Cuomo said. "Food. Water. Power."

"Mr. Cuomo, you're simply making this stuff up," Rep. Perry fired back. "You're making it up."

Hurricane Maria, a category 5 storm, ripped through the U.S. territory on Sept. 18. The death toll has risen to 45, while more than 100 remain missing, CNNreports. Most of the island remained without power three weeks later, and getting drinking water to many residents has been a struggle, FEMA said.

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