Lawmakers reach deal on disaster aid, leave out border money Trump demanded, top senator says
Source: Washington Post
Lawmakers on Thursday announced an agreement on a multibillion-dollar disaster aid package, breaking a months-long impasse that held up critical federal funding for swaths of the country struck by natural disasters. The White House has signed off on a compromise measure, supported by congressional Democrats and Republicans, that would deliver $19.1 billion in disaster relief for parts of the Southeast, Midwest, California and Puerto Rico. The package leaves out additional funding sought by the administration for the U.S. border with Mexico, according to Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard C. Shelby (R-Ala.), which proved contentious in the disaster aid negotiations. We took it all out. Were going to try to push that separately when we come back, Shelby told reporters. Its a good deal. This disaster issue has played on for months and months. Lets hope we can move it out of the Senate today. On Thursday, Sen. David Perdue (R-Ga.), whose state is awaiting federal money to rebuild from Hurricane Michael, called Trump and won approval for a disaster aid plan that left out additional funding for the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Health and Human Services, according to Casey Black, a spokesperson for Perdue.
Top Democratic negotiations, such as Chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee Rep. Nita M. Lowey (D-N.Y.), cheered news of the agreement. Chairman Lowey is pleased that President Trump and Republicans have agreed to bipartisan, comprehensive disaster relief legislation that will meet urgent needs across the country, said Evan Hollander, a spokesman for Lowey. If the Senate passes the legislation today, House Democrats support clearing it through the House as soon as possible.
The congressional deadlock has stalled support for victims of wildfires in California and other western states, southeastern residents hurt by hurricanes, Midwestern states that faced historic flooding earlier this year, and other areas. In Puerto Rico, more than 1 million residents have seen their food stamp payments cut after the programs emergency funding expired in March. It appeared earlier Thursday that negotiations were on the brink of failure.
At a news conference on Thursday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said the Senate should take up legislation already passed by the House but opposed by the White House. Earlier this month, the House passed a disaster aid bill that included more generous support for Puerto Rico, a package that won the support of all of the chambers Democrats and 34 Republicans. Thats sitting over at the Senate. They could well just pass it and send it to the president, Pelosi said, adding that the Trump administrations conditions for border funding are unacceptable. [Democrats] understand our responsibility to protect our border, but what theyre doing is just not right, she said,
Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/house-lawmakers-to-leave-washington-with-billions-in-emergency-aid-stuck-in-gridlock/2019/05/23/b40652a8-7cd8-11e9-8ede-f4abf521ef17_story.html
Original article -
This story will be updated.
House lawmakers on Thursday prepared to leave Washington, further decreasing Congress's chances of passing a multibillion-dollar disaster aid package before its week-long recess. The recess would further delay aid to disaster-affected parts of the Southeast, Midwest, California and Puerto Rico, which have seen federal help stalled for several months as Republicans, Democrats and President Trump have been unable to reach a deal.
Congressional negotiators worked into the evening Wednesday and continued Thursday. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said in a floor speech Thursday that the Senate would not adjourn this week until the disaster aid bill received a vote, and he suggested negotiators were close to an agreement.
Javaman
(62,439 posts)when he see's he didn't get his money for his fucked up wall?
it would be something if the idiot in charge veto's it.
only to have congress repukes join in to override it.
he will have a melt down. correction: another melt down. LOL
ProudMNDemocrat
(16,485 posts)methinks Congress needs to take a look at where the money went and whose pockets were lined.
BigmanPigman
(51,432 posts)When I heard the cost and how much was "renovated" I figured some GOP pals are getting richer fron the tRump admin.
keithbvadu2
(36,367 posts)Trump can always take more money from the Pentagon for his phony national emergency.