{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/thompson-vel-zquez-seek-audit-maria-death-toll", "Thompson, Velzquez Seek Audit of Maria Death Toll", "2017-10-12", "2017", "2017-10", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thompson, Vel\u00e1zquez Seek Audit of Maria Death Toll With Conflicting Reports, Lawmakers Ask for Thorough Investigation into Total Fatalities\n\u00a0\nOctober 12, 2017 (WASHINGTON) \u2013 Today, Reps. Nydia M. Vel\u00e1zquez (D-NY) and Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, wrote the U.S. Department of Homeland Security asking for an investigation into underreporting in the official death toll following Hurricane Maria. \n\u00a0\nIn light of news reports suggesting that numbers could be much higher than the official count of 45 lives lost, the lawmakers asked for an official review of casualty counts. \n\u00a0\n\u201cThe American people deserve to know what\u2019s happening to their fellow U.S. citizens in Puerto Rico,\u201d Vel\u00e1zquez said. \u201cGiven recent reports suggesting that the death toll is much higher than is being officially acknowledged, we need a swift and thorough investigation to ensure the real magnitude of this crisis is made public.\u201d\n\u00a0\n\u201cHaving just been in Puerto Rico last weekend, it is clear that the real story of what is happening is not being told by this Administration,\u201d said Thompson.\u00a0 \u201cThe federal response is woefully adequate and now we are seeing numerous reports that the death toll is unknown or not being reported accurately.\u00a0 The whole nation deserves to know what is happening to our fellow citizens.\u201d\u00a0 \n\u00a0\nLink to letter\n\u00a0\n# \u00a0#\u00a0 #\nMedia contacts:\n\t(Thompson) Adam Comis at 202-225-9978\n\t(Vel\u00e1zquez) Alex Haurek at 202-225-2361", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/thompson-vel-zquez-seek-audit-maria-death-toll"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.8013560436666012, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}