Rep. Wasserman Schultz on House Republican Delaying Bipartisan Disaster Relief Bill

Washington, May 24, 2019
"This is a disgrace and disservice to struggling Americans across the country waiting for urgently needed assistance, and puts American lives at risk."

Today we should have been celebrating aid finally being secured for Puerto Rico, military bases, and communities ravaged by hurricanes and other natural disasters – but instead Americans will be forced to keep waiting. This is a disgrace and disservice to struggling Americans across the country waiting for urgently needed assistance, and puts American lives at risk.

This bipartisan disaster relief bill is necessary and urgent, and should have passed the House today and become law. I am disappointed but, unfortunately, not surprised, that a Republican member of the House chose to delay this critical aid for American communities and families who have already been waiting far too long for needed aid.

The Democratic House passed two bills this year to support vital disaster relief projects. Senate Republicans left families in the lurch for months by not taking action on disaster aid. Today, Republicans again delayed this critical assistance from reaching Americans.