Senate passes $19.1 billion relief package for natural disasters
Lawmakers reached an agreement on the bill, H.R. 2157.
(Bloomberg) — The Senate passed a $19.1 billion disaster-aid plan on May 23 for areas hit by hurricanes, Midwest floods and California wildfires after lawmakers resolved months of disagreement over funds for Puerto Rico. President Donald Trump said he supports the bill.
The 85-8 vote sends the bill to the House, which plans to vote as soon as possible, said an aide to Appropriations Chairwoman Nita Lowey, a Democrat.
Senate Appropriations Chairman Richard Shelby called the agreement a “good deal.” He added that he spoke to Trump and “the president said OK.”
Lawmakers reached an agreement on the bill, H.R. 2157. Trump backed the bill after his Senate ally David Perdue of Georgia called him, according to an aide in Perdue’s office.
“House Democrats support clearing it through the House as soon as possible,” Lowey spokesman Evan Hollander said in a statement. House members have already left town for a week-long recess, but the chamber could pass the bill without lawmakers present if no member objects.
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Much needed relief is near
Southern lawmakers have been clamoring for relief for farmers in states hit by Hurricanes Florence and Michael, which wiped out timber and pecan crops in Alabama and Georgia.
The bill includes $900 million for Puerto Rico, Shelby said. It would also extend through Sept. 30 the National Flood Insurance Program, which expires at the end of the month.
For months, the major obstacle to passing the measure was Trump’s opposition to providing aid to Puerto Rico. In April, Trump told Senate Republicans that Puerto Rico squandered previous disaster assistance and should receive no more. He argued that the island is using funds to pay off its debts, a charge that Puerto Rican officials deny. An earlier version of the bill contained $600 million in nutrition assistance for Puerto Ricans but omitted other rebuilding aid.
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