House Democrats on Thursday unveiled a $3.34 billion emergency supplemental spending bill for Puerto Rico, aimed at funding schools and repairing transportation infrastructure.
On Wednesday, the Trump administration ended a hold on $8 billion in Puerto Rico disaster relief that had been held up for months, despite ongoing recovery needs following devastating hurricanes in 2017.
“The Trump administration has finally showed signs of relenting in its attempts to illegally withhold vital aid to Puerto Rico, and must provide the rest of the assistance this Congress has already enacted for the island,” said House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Nita LoweyNita Sue LoweyOn The Money — Presented by Wells Fargo — Senate approves Trump trade deal with Canada, Mexico | Senate Dems launch probe into Trump tax law regulations | Trump announces Fed nominees House Democrats unveil .35B Puerto Rico aid bill Appropriators fume over reports of Trump plan to reprogram .2 billion for wall MORE (D-N.Y.).
“However, there are still urgent unmet needs on the island that necessitate additional relief,” she added.
Recent earthquakes, in particular, forced people from their homes, leveled schools and damaged roads, she said.
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Click Here: liverpool mens jerseyThe largest part of the supplemental spending bill, $2 billion, will go through the Community Development Block Grant, which would allow Puerto Rico to spend money on long-term recovery, housing and economic revitalization.
Another $1.25 billion would go toward repairing roads, while a final $100 million would go toward educational needs.
While the House could move on the legislation fairly quickly, the Senate will spend the next several weeks on President TrumpDonald John TrumpLev Parnas implicates Rick Perry, says Giuliani had him pressure Ukraine to announce Biden probe Saudi Arabia paid 0 million for cost of US troops in area Parnas claims ex-Trump attorney visited him in jail, asked him to sacrifice himself for president MORE‘s impeachment trial, which is set to begin on Tuesday. It remains unclear if the Senate will take up the disaster bill.
Supplemental spending bills are frequently packaged with other must-pass legislation.