On Tuesday, a bill to provide aid for survivors of natural disasters was blocked by GOP representatives in the House. Despite an increase in incidents of natural disasters, including massive, deadly hurricanes in Oklahoma, Ohio, and Indiana over Memorial Day weekend, a lone GOP senator managed to block an agreement for funding, calling it fiscally irresponsible.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi called him out on Facebook and released a statement on her website.
‘The heartlessness of House Republicans knows no bounds. Just days after sabotaging a bipartisan and bicameral bill to provide urgently-needed relief to millions of American families reeling from natural disasters, House Republicans have repeated their stunning act of obstruction – even after more deadly storms ravaged our country over the weekend.’
For more than four months, Republicans in the Senate, White House & now the House have denied millions of American families hit by floods, hurricanes, wildfires, & other disasters the care they need. Read my full statement here: https://t.co/flEw5v5qEi
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) May 28, 2019
This is the second time in the span of a week that Republicans have blocked this bill. The first attempt was blocked by Rep. Chip Roy (R-TN), who blocked it on the grounds that it didn’t include funding for immigration control efforts at the border and that it “wasn’t paid for,” something that was not a concern
‘For more than four months, Republicans in the Senate, White House and now the House have forced millions of American families to pay the price for their cruel actions. House Republicans need to immediately end this shameful sabotage, and allow the House to pass the bill that the bipartisan Senate has finally agreed to. House Republicans also objected to a critical extension of the Flood Insurance program which will expire this Friday leaving the agency without the ability to issue new policies just as hurricane season begins.’
This is yet another example of politicians putting their own self-interest ahead of the national interest.
It’s pathetic that some members have chosen this moment to grandstand & get into the national headlines. https://t.co/KodgZ1MhNL
— David Perdue (@sendavidperdue) May 28, 2019
Attempts to pass the measure by unanimous consent will be taken up again on Thursday. Meanwhile, those suffering the aftermath of natural disasters wait while grandstanding Republicans make a spectacle of themselves on C-SPAN and decide these Americans’ fates.
MSNBC reports:
‘Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., objected to a request to pass the measure by unanimous consent during a pro forma session. If the bill had passed, it would have gone straight to President Donald Trump’s desk for his signature. Most lawmakers are back home in their districts this week for a weeklong Memorial Day recess..’
BREAKING: For 2nd time in less than a week, a single Republican lawmaker has blocked the US House from passing the $19B billion disaster relief bill. https://t.co/ObhMOcHN7i
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) May 28, 2019
Featured image screenshot via YouTube
