04.02.19

‘Our Work on Disaster Funding is Far from Finished’

‘Last night, the Senate had the opportunity to pass an important package of disaster relief funding for communities across America. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen. Our Democratic colleagues voted down the efforts of Chairman Shelby and Senator Perdue to put together a comprehensive package, and it remains unfinished business… So I am disappointed that political games carried the day yesterday.’

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) made the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding supplemental disaster funding legislation:

“Last night, the Senate had the opportunity to pass an important package of disaster relief funding for communities across America. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen. Our Democratic colleagues voted down the efforts of Chairman Shelby and Senator Perdue to put together a comprehensive package, and it remains unfinished business

“As recently as a month ago, some Congressional Democrats had expressed a clear commitment to immediate, bipartisan action on disaster relief. And the package considered yesterday represented a long list of priorities from both sides of the aisle -- the only such list that had the president’s explicit support. It would have helped local schools, hospitals, and transportation infrastructure get back up and running, farmers and ranchers recoup losses, and our nation’s military restore readiness at bases and installations in harm’s way.

“It would have been an immediate and significant step forward for the coastal communities of Florida and the Carolinas that are still picking up the pieces after a devastating hurricane season. For the western communities besieged by wildfires. For the families in Puerto Rico who rely on nutrition assistance that is dwindling. For those in the path of last month’s tornadoes in Alabama and Georgia. And for the large swathes of the heartland still grappling with floodwaters. So I am disappointed that political games carried the day yesterday. But I assure the American people: our work on this subject is far from finished.”

Related Issues: Appropriations, Infrastructure, Senate Democrats