House Passes $36.5B Disaster Aid Bill For Hurricane-Hit States, Puerto Rico

This Monday, Sept. 18, 2017, GOES East satellite image provided by NASA taken at 20:30 UTC, shows the eye of Hurricane Maria as it nears Dominica. The National Hurricane Center in Miami said Monday evening that Air F... This Monday, Sept. 18, 2017, GOES East satellite image provided by NASA taken at 20:30 UTC, shows the eye of Hurricane Maria as it nears Dominica. The National Hurricane Center in Miami said Monday evening that Air Force Reserve hurricane hunter planes found that Maria had strengthened into a storm with 160 mph (260 kph) winds. (NASA via AP) MORE LESS

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House has passed a $36.5 billion measure that would replenish government disaster aid funds and help the cash-strapped government of Puerto Rico keep functioning in the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Maria.

The bipartisan 353-69 vote sent the measure to the Senate, which plans to take up the bill next week.

The bill combines $18.7 billion for Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster relief with $16 billion to permit the financially troubled federal flood insurance program pay an influx of Harvey-related claims. An additional $577 million would pay for western firefighting efforts.

Almost $5 billion of the funding could be used to help the government of Puerto Rico and its local jurisdictions stay functional as they endure unsustainable cash shortfalls in the aftermath of Maria.

4
Show Comments

Notable Replies

  1. Avatar for vonq vonq says:

    Don’t hear much from the media either about V.I. Maybe their gov needs to hold a press conference criticizing Trump and FEMA or maybe the MSM could do their damn job.

  2. Trump: Only 69 True Heros:

Continue the discussion at forums.talkingpointsmemo.com

Participants

Avatar for system1 Avatar for vonq Avatar for romi Avatar for ohcomeonnow

Continue Discussion