4/1/2019

GOP/LEGISLATION/NATURAL DISASTERS/PUERTO RICO/SENATE/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “Two competing legislative proposals aimed at providing disaster relief failed to advance in the Senate on Monday amid a fight over funding for hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico. The Senate first voted on a GOP proposal that Democrats objected to because they argued it did not provide adequate aid for Puerto Rico. That vote was 44-49. The second measure that came up for a vote was a relief measure that passed out of the Democratic-controlled House months ago. Republicans criticized that legislation for not providing relief for recent flooding that has devastated the Midwest. That vote was 46-48. The failure of both measures will send lawmakers back to the drawing board in search of a compromise that can pass. It also puts lawmakers from both sides of the aisle in a politically precarious position and opens senators up to attacks from the opposing party accusing them of blocking much-needed disaster aid. The GOP legislation authored by Senate Appropriations Chairman Richard Shelby would allocate roughly $13.5 billion for rebuilding and recovery from natural disasters such as tornadoes, earthquakes, hurricanes and wildfires. The legislation includes $600 million to pay for nutrition assistance for Puerto Rico.”

Clare Foran and Ted Barrett, “Disaster relief legislation fails to advance in Senate amid Puerto Rico funding fight,” CNN Politics, CNN.com, April 1, 2019 9:24 am