Impasse Ends As Senate Passes Long-Awaited $19B Disaster Relief Package To Help Hurricane, Wildfire Victims
The legislation was held up over conflicts with the White House over money for the border and Puerto Rico. Although the House has left for a one-week recess, the legislation could theoretically be approved on a voice vote as soon as Friday.
The New York Times:
Senate Passes Long-Deferred Disaster Relief Package
The Senate on Thursday passed a long-delayed disaster relief package, a step toward ending a monthslong impasse that had prevented the release of billions of dollars in aid for farmers and communities struggling to recover from an onslaught of natural disasters over the last two years. Minutes after a tornado warning blared through the Capitol chambers, the Senate voted 85 to 8 to allocate $19.1 billion for recovery efforts across the country. (Cochrane, 5/23)
Politico:
Senate Passes Massive Disaster Aid Package
The stalled aid package had faced several setbacks — including over Trump’s reluctance to provide more money to hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico. More recently, talks stalled over a White House request for more border funding. The bill does not include the additional border funds the president sought. Among the Senators who voted against the bill — all Republicans — were Sens. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, Mike Crapo of Idaho, James Risch of Idaho, Mike Braun of Indiana, Mike Lee of Utah, Mitt Romney of Utah, Martha McSally of Arizona and Rand Paul of Kentucky. (Levine, Everett and Bresnahan, 5/23)
NPR:
Senate Reaches $19 Billion Deal For Disaster Aid Without Border Wall Funding
Shortly before the Senate voted on the plan, the president told reporters at the White House he did not want to hold up the disaster aid to get additional funding for his immigration priorities. (Mak and Snell, 5/23)
In other news from Capitol Hill —
Politico:
Tobacco Bill Could Put Democrats In Tough Spot
Republicans and Democrats both agree that the tobacco purchasing age should be raised from 18 to 21. But not everyone is on board with how to do it. A bipartisan tobacco bill Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is pushing forward — that he’s called a top priority — is already running into roadblocks with some Democrats who argue it would allow the tobacco industry to unduly influence state laws on vaping and other products. (Levine and Owermohle, 5/23)
