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BumRushDaShow

(127,312 posts)
Thu May 23, 2019, 02:18 PM May 2019

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. We’re going to try to push that separately when we come back,” Shelby told reporters. “It’s a good deal. This disaster issue has played on for months and months. Let’s 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 program’s 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 chamber’s Democrats and 34 Republicans. “That’s sitting over at the Senate. They could well just pass it and send it to the president,” Pelosi said, adding that the Trump administration’s conditions for border funding are “unacceptable.” “[Democrats] understand our responsibility to protect our border, but what they’re 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 -

BREAKING: Lawmakers have reached agreement in principle to approve billions of dollars in aid for regions struck by natural disasters, leaving out border money White House demanded, according to Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby (R-Ala.). Shelby made the announcement Thursday afternoon. The package is expected to cost $19.1 billion. Congressional Democrats and Republicans, as well as the White House, have signed off on the deal in principle, Shelby said.

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.
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Lawmakers reach deal on disaster aid, leave out border money Trump demanded, top senator says (Original Post) BumRushDaShow May 2019 OP
I wonder what kind of tantrum the orange asshole will throw Javaman May 2019 #1
$1.5 Billion for a little over a Mile and a half of a wall..... ProudMNDemocrat May 2019 #2
I thought the same thing! BigmanPigman May 2019 #5
Trump can always take more money from the Pentagon for his phony national emergency. keithbvadu2 May 2019 #3
And Trump takes another left hook. I don't think he can keep this up much longer, folks. pecosbob May 2019 #4
The dotard can't be happy about this Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin May 2019 #6
IQ45 will blow it up just like he did with DACA. sinkingfeeling May 2019 #7

Javaman

(62,439 posts)
1. I wonder what kind of tantrum the orange asshole will throw
Thu May 23, 2019, 02:30 PM
May 2019

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)
2. $1.5 Billion for a little over a Mile and a half of a wall.....
Thu May 23, 2019, 02:41 PM
May 2019

methinks Congress needs to take a look at where the money went and whose pockets were lined.

BigmanPigman

(51,432 posts)
5. I thought the same thing!
Thu May 23, 2019, 05:52 PM
May 2019

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)
3. Trump can always take more money from the Pentagon for his phony national emergency.
Thu May 23, 2019, 02:57 PM
May 2019

Trump can always take more money from the Pentagon for his phony national emergency.

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