The third disaster supplemental package that passed the House of Representatives before the holidays has stalled in the Senate over a lack of funding for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Unanimous consent is required to fast-track the emergency legislation, but Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) says the bill has been wrapped into larger spending negotiations.
GOP leaders criticize Senator Schumer for holding up the bill, but Democrats argue they were left out of the negotiating table and that the current proposal is “shameful” in its treatment of U.S. territories. If the latest $81 billion package is enacted, it would bring the total amount spent on helping people affected by natural disasters to more than $130 billion.