President Donald Trump is picking a fight with Democratic lawmakers over disaster relief funding for Puerto Rico, which is set for a voting showdown in the coming days.
Democrats should stop fighting Sen. David Perdue’s disaster relief bill. They are blocking funding and relief for our great farmers and rural America!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 1, 2019
After two devastating hurricanes hit the island in 2017, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is leading efforts to force GOP lawmakers to include more disaster relief funding for Puerto Rico. Democrats are seeking approximately $700 million in additional disaster funding for Puerto Rico and other states. (RELATED: Trump Challenges Puerto Rico Death Toll Estimates)
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) speaks after a Democratic policy lunch on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., January 29, 2019. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts.
GOP lawmakers have cried foul at Democratic efforts to amend the bill, noting that their version of the bill provides $600 million in aid to Puerto Rico.
Florida and Puerto Rico are still waiting on important disaster relief funding. Tonight we’ll vote on the bill I’m co-sponsoring.
I urge Democrats to put politics aside and vote for this important legislation. American families need this funding NOW!
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) April 1, 2019
Trump has bristled in recent weeks at providing extra disaster relief funding for Puerto Rico, telling GOP lawmakers at a closed-door lunch last week that he provided plenty of aid to the island, but that many resources were misspent.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott gives his victory speech November 4, 2014 in Bonita Springs, Florida. Scott won a tight race against opponent Charlie Crist former Florida Gov. and Democrat gubernatorial candidate. (Erik Kellar/Getty Images)
“I have taken better care of Puerto Rico than any man ever. We have $91 billion going to Puerto Rico. We have $29 billion to Texas and $12 billion to Florida for the hurricane,” Trump declared Thursday before departing for Florida. “They have to spend the money wisely,” he continued. “They don’t know how to spend the money and they’re not spending it wisely.”