Democrats and Republicans in Congress are trying to free up flood-prevention money that has been held up because of what sources from both parties say is President Trump’s reluctance to approve funding that would also go to Puerto Rico.
Sens. John Cornyn, R-Tex., and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., introduced a stand-alone bill in the Senate Thursday that would force OMB to approve the rules within 60 days., the agency charged with distributing the funds, told NBC News that it sent its proposed rules to OMB on May 1.
Asked why OMB has not approved the rules, a senior administration official told NBC News,"We do not comment on rules currently under review." A Senate Democratic aide said OMB has not issued the rules"despite the fact that OMB has been a part of HUD’s work in this effort from the beginning." The aide said that when asked how long OMB’s review would take, a HUD official was non-committal “and said, ‘That it is up to OMB and 'out of their control.'"
As NBC News and other media outlets have previously reported, despite pressure from GOP lawmakers in Texas and other red states who need the funds, congressional sources from both sides of the aisle said the administration is reluctant to send more money to Puerto Rico out of concern the money could be at risk of waste, fraud and abuse. More than $8 billion of the funds would go to Puerto Rico, while Texas, Louisiana and other states would get $4 billion.
The House amendment in particular would compel OMB to approve the rules quickly. However, even after the rules are approved by OMB, it will take nine months before local communities can start shovel-ready projects, according to officials in Texas. That will extend well beyond the 2019 hurricane season.
Deutschland Neuesten Nachrichten, Deutschland Schlagzeilen
Similar News:Sie können auch ähnliche Nachrichten wie diese lesen, die wir aus anderen Nachrichtenquellen gesammelt haben.
GOP proposes more Puerto Rico aid in latest offer to DemocratsThe Republicans’ latest funding offer would add billions of dollars to the Senate’s existing disaster bill, which would dole out badly needed cash to states ravaged by wildfires, hurricanes and severe flooding
Weiterlesen »
Trump urges Republicans to vote against disaster relief billThe president wants less money for Puerto Rico and more money for the border.
Weiterlesen »
House passes Trump-opposed disaster-relief bill with more funding for Puerto RicoHouse passes $17 billion disaster relief bill despite Trump's opposition to funding for Puerto Rico
Weiterlesen »
Disaster bill clears U.S. House amid feud over Puerto Rico aidThe U.S. House of Representatives approved a multibillion-dollar disaster relief...
Weiterlesen »
Opinion | Trump pitted disaster victims against each other. His rally crowd applauded.Opinion: Trump pitted disaster victims against each other. His rally crowd applauded.
Weiterlesen »
AP FACT CHECK: Trump brings Puerto Rico fiction to FloridaWASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump brought his enduring fiction about hurricane aid for Puerto Rico to a rally crowd in Florida on Wednesday.
Weiterlesen »
House Democrats demand White House documents on federal response to Puerto Rico disasterDemocrats are asking for emails related to the 'discovery of mass graves in Puerto Rico.'
Weiterlesen »
Donald Trump slams Puerto Rico as Congress considers disaster aid billThe dispute between Trump and Democrats over Puerto Rico has held up a disaster aid bill, but pressure is building on the president to strike a deal.
Weiterlesen »
‘The colony within the colony’: Puerto Rico fumes as FEMA deliberates over remote hospitalMore than 19 months after Hurricane Maria, FEMA has not decided what to do about a hospital on a remote island off the coast of mainland Puerto Rico.
Weiterlesen »