FEDERAL FUNDING/GOP/NATURAL DISASTERS/PUERTO RICO/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “Congressional Republicans on Thursday [5-9-19] floated a new disaster aid proposal to Democrats to break the logjam over Puerto Rico, but it is unlikely to end the bitter, monthslong stalemate that has frustrated both parties, according to multiple aides. The Republicans’ latest funding offer would add billions of dollars in funding under the Senate’s disaster-aid bill, which would dole out badly needed cash to states ravaged by wildfires, hurricanes and severe flooding. It includes hundreds of millions more for Puerto Rico, but falls short of resolving the key sticking point, which has pitted Democrats against President Donald Trump since last year…Leaders of both parties are making a last-gasp push to distribute the money before Memorial Day as desperation grows in a half-dozen states from Iowa to California. But they keep running into hurdles, including from the president himself. Trump was in Florida on Wednesday [5-8-19] night promising to swiftly deliver disaster aid in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael last October. But he continues to dig in against new funding for Puerto Rico, incorrectly claiming at an impromptu news conference on Thursday that the territory had already secured $91 billion in aid for a massive hurricane with a death toll of 3,000 people.”
–Sarah Ferris and John Bresnahan, “GOP proposes more Puerto Rico aid in latest offer to Democrats,” Politico, May 9, 2019 9:26 pm