Senate presses ahead on $36.5B relief package
WASHINGTON — A senior Senate Democrat said there’s no time to waste as the Senate pressed ahead Monday on a $36.5 billion hurricane relief package that would give Puerto Rico a much-needed infusion of cash.
The measure also would replenish rapidly dwindling emergency disaster accounts and provide $16 billion to permit the financially troubled federal flood insurance program to pay an influx of Harvey-related claims.
But the bill rejects requests from the powerful Texas and Florida congressional delegations for additional money to rebuild after hurricanes Harvey and Irma.
The measure was certain to sail through Monday’s procedural vote and a final vote was expected no later than Tuesday. That would send the measure to President Donald Trump for his signature.
There is urgency to move the measure swiftly — rather than add more money to it at this time — because the government’s disaster response and flood insurance reserves are running out.
“If we do not act, disaster relief funds and the flood insurance program will run out of resources in a matter of days,” said top Appropriations Committee Democrat Patrick Leahy of Vermont.
Still, members of the Texas and Florida delegations in Congress are unhappy because the measure failed to address extensive requests for additional hurricane rebuilding funds. Texas, inundated by Harvey in August, requested $19 billion, while Florida sought $27 billion.
“I’m pretty disappointed with what the House sent over,” Texas GOP Sen. John Cornyn said last week. But later, after speaking to both Trump and White House budget director Mick Mulvaney, Cornyn said he was promised that the White House would issue another disaster aid measure next month that would provide muchneeded help for Texas, Florida, and Puerto Rico. A fourth, and perhaps final, measure is likely to anchor a year-end spending bill.
“The victims of these hurricanes can continue to count on our support,” said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.
The measure also contains almost $5 billion to assist Puerto Rico’s central government and various municipalities that are suffering unsustainable cash shortfalls as Maria has choked off revenues and strained resources. Another $150 million would help Puerto Rico with the 10 percent match required for Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster relief.