Rep. Nita Lowey returned from Puerto Rico Saturday after assessing the damage left from Hurricane Maria three weeks ago.

Lowey and a group of both Republican and Democratic representatives flew over the island in a helicopter to access the damage.

"This is an urgent situation. The people of Puerto Rico are citizens of the United States and America and we have to remember that and we have to help them,” says Lowey.

Last week, the House passed a $36 billion emergency assistance bill with bipartisan support to aid Puerto Rico and other hurricane-ravaged states.

The emergency relief bill now goes to the Senate for a vote.

Lowey says the key is for both Republicans and Democrats to see Puerto Rico as a priority.

The congresswoman says she plans to travel back to Puerto Rico soon to assess whether or not the U.S. is sending enough aid to the island.