The Senate passed a $19.1 billion relief package, H.R. 2157, on Thursday by a vote of 85-8. The plan would provide relief for US communities hit by Midwest floods, Hurricanes Florence and Michael and the California wildfires.
The package also includes monies for US Territories, including over $900 million for Puerto Rico, Senate Appropriations Chairman Shelby said, According to Bloomberg. $600 million is designated to nutrition assistance, and $304 million in Community Development Block Grant funding for Puerto Rico, as well as an extension of the National Flood Insurance Program. Senate Majority Leader McConnell insisted on a vote on a package before Memorial Day recess.
The disaster aid money would be designated as emergency supplemental funding that doesn’t count against discretionary spending caps.
Under the bill, communities affected by 2019 floods and tornadoes, as well as 2018 storms, could qualify for assistance including $3 billion in USDA funding for expenses related to crop losses. Assistance could be provided as block grants to states, and producers that receive payments would have to purchase crop insurance for the next two years, according to Bloomberg Government. The bill also contains $720.3 million for forest fire management.
There’s also $3.25 billion for Army Corps of Engineers flood control and storm damage reduction projects, and $3.17 billion to help rebuild military bases damaged by Hurricane Michael and other storms.
The House finished legislative business on Thursday and many Members left town for Memorial Day recess. On Friday, Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) demanded a roll-call vote on the House floor. Several GOP members reportedly had reservations about moving the package by unanimous consent, as it did not include any monies for the migrant surge at the southern border.
House Appropriations Chairwoman Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.) supports the measure. President Trump said he supports the bill, however a vote will be postponed until June.
