President TrumpDonald John TrumpMcMaster accuses some in White House of being a ‘danger to the Constitution’ Trump predicts Dem investigation will drive him to 2020 win Trump hits O’Rourke: ‘Boy has he fallen like a rock’ MORE on Thursday urged lawmakers to “keep working” on disaster aid legislation instead of voting for a bill put forth by Democrats, which he called “bad.”
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“House Republicans should not vote for the BAD DEMOCRAT Disaster Supplemental Bill which hurts our States, Farmers & Border Security,” Trump tweeted on the eve of the expected House vote.
“We want to do much better than this. All sides keep working and send a good BILL for immediate signing!” he added.
House Republicans should not vote for the BAD DEMOCRAT Disaster Supplemental Bill which hurts our States, Farmers & Border Security. Up for vote tomorrow. We want to do much better than this. All sides keep working and send a good BILL for immediate signing!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 9, 2019
The House is expected to vote Friday on an emergency funding bill that would disperse $17.2 billion in relief for recent tornadoes and wildfires as well as Hurricanes Florence, Michael, Harvey and Irma. It would also provide $3 billion more for flooding in the Midwest and other natural disasters.
Should the measure pass the Democratic-led lower chamber, it would shift the focus to the GOP-led Senate, where lawmakers have struggled to reach an agreement on the stalled disaster aid package. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellOvernight Health Care: HHS issues rule requiring drug prices in TV ads | Grassley, Wyden working on plan to cap drug costs in Medicare | Warren to donate money from family behind opioid giant Republicans rip GOP Intel decision to subpoena Trump Jr. On The Money: White House files notice of China tariff hikes | Dems cite NYT report in push for Trump tax returns | Trump hits Iran with new sanctions | Trump praises GM for selling shuttered Ohio factory | Ex-Im Bank back at full strength MORE (R-Ky.) has said he would like to see a bill pass before the Memorial Day recess, despite hurdles.
Funding for Puerto Rico has been a particularly contentious issue, with the disaster aid bill stalemating earlier this year after Trump criticized Puerto Rico’s handling of recovery money. The president tweeted earlier this week that “Puerto Rico should be very happy and the Dems should stop blocking much needed Disaster Relief.”
At a Wednesday rally in the Florida Panhandle, Trump said he would secure $448 million to help with recovery from Hurricane Michael.