The Senate is negotiating a disaster aid package that is expected to come to a vote next week before Congress breaks for a week-long recess after Memorial Day. The House passed a Democrat-backed $19.2 billion disaster aid package last week that included substantial aid for wildfires and other natural disasters. The bill has stalled for the past several weeks over funds for Puerto Rico and the U.S. southern border, but negotiators appear to be close to reaching a final deal that could deliver the appropriations package through the Senate.
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) threatened to keep the Senate open through the Memorial Day recess until the chamber votes on disaster aid, but it appears more likely he won’t be forced to make do on his threat. Once the key issues of Puerto Rico and border funding are finalized, lawmakers should be able to pass the disaster supplemental without a hitch.