Vice President Mike Pence visited Central Florida on Thursday to meet with people who have been a crucial part of the Puerto Rico relief effort and to reaffirm the administration's commitment to the island's recovery.

  • Vice President Mike Pence arrives in Orlando area
  • He reaffirmed administration's support of Puerto Rican community
  • Puerto Rico was devastated by Hurricane Maria
  • Watch live coverage here

His visit came after the Trump administration's response to Puerto Rico recovery efforts has been criticized.

After landing at Orlando International Airport late in the afternoon, Florida Sens. Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio descended the steps of Air Force 2 behind the vice president and second lady Karen Pence.

Their first stop was a tour of the Puerto Rico disaster relief center at the airport, which opened just days ago. It's a welcome center of sorts for storm victims who travel to Florida from the island, nearly all of which didn't have electricity as of Wednesday, the Federal Emergency Management Agency's website said this week, after Hurricane Maria slammed into the island Sept. 16.

Pence then traveled to Kissimmee, where he delivered remarks at Iglesia de Dios, a church he referred to as the heart of the Puerto Rican community in Florida.

He praised the church for filling trucks of supplies and sending dozens of generators to the island.

"I appreciate his presence here, because Puerto Rico needs help from the U.S. It's a perfect speech," Pastor Rene Stella said.

Pence also spoke about the administration’s response to the U.S. territory devastated by Hurricane Maria and stated his commitment to supporting recovery efforts.

“Our message will be simple: We are with you, we stand with you and we will be with you every step of the way," he said.

The vice president pointed to supplying power to hospitals and dialysis centers, getting gas stations running and supermarkets open as examples of success in Puerto Rico.

"The needs of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands will be great, but the generosity of the American people evidenced by the great faith community will be greater still," Pence said.

"We're just very grateful for the attention that he is bringing to the issue," congregation member Ashley Hernandez said.

Pence's visit comes just days after President Donald Trump visited the storm-ravaged Puerto Rico, where he praised the relatively low death toll compared with "a real catastrophe like Katrina." Trump also singled out Gov. Ricardo Rossello for “giving us the highest praise.”

The vice president will travel with his wife to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands on Friday.


Vice President Mike Pence speaks at Iglesias de Dios in Kissimmee on Thursday evening, where he offered his support for the Puerto Rican community both in Central Florida and the island. (CNN)