While the Midwest floods, and Puerto Rico runs out of money for food assistance, what is Congress doing? Arguing over whether Puerto Rico deserves to be included in a multibillion dollar aid bill intended to provide assistance to communities across the United States affected by hurricanes, flooding, wildfires, and more.
The House is on board with its own version of this legislation, but it's a different story in the Senate, which cannot seem to pass a version that everyone can agree on. While the president spouts wildly false claims about Puerto Rico, Republicans are hotly insisting they won't vote for a bill that includes much-needed aid funding, and Democrats say they won't vote for a bill without it. All of this partisan posturing is happening while the clock ticks on getting much-needed services and supports into communities that can ill afford to wait.
Part of this dispute is over money that was already allocated to Puerto Rico: The government just hasn't released it yet. If you think this is absurd, you are not alone.
Tell Congress to stop messing around and pass an inclusive aid package now.
Republicans need to stand up to the president and call out his lies, which are directly harming people who urgently need assistance. Puerto Rico is part of the United States, it has not received "too much" aid, and it deserves inclusion in a bill intended to help American communities recover from natural disasters. Be it Des Moines or San Juan, it's populated by people who deserve compassion and support from Congress, not grandstanding.
Democrats need to hold strong on their pledge to ensure that Puerto Rico gets the funds it deserves. If the Senate can only pass a narrower bill, it's imperative that Democrats push for funding equity when the House and Senate versions go to conference committee for reconciliation. Puerto Rico had preexisting problems with infrastructure and services thanks to decades of neglect and underfunding from the federal government. Congress owes the island and its residents some serious makeup funding to address these disparities.
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