We look at the fight in Congress over disaster aid for Puerto Rico since it was ravaged by Hurricane Maria, one of the deadliest storms in U.S. history. On Monday, two competing disaster relief bills stalled in the Senate. A companion to a January package passed in the House failed after Republicans objected to the lack of relief funding for recent flooding in the Midwest. Another Senate bill supported by Republicans fell short of the 60 votes needed. It contained just $600 million for Puerto Rico\u2019s food stamp program, a number Democrats say is far too low as many Puerto Ricans are still recovering from the devastation of 2017\u2019s Hurricane Maria. Democrats also say aid should cover rebuilding and other forms of disaster relief. Trump responded Monday night on Twitter that \u201cPuerto Rico got far more money than Texas & Florida combined, yet their government can\u2019t do anything right, the place is a mess\u2013nothing works.\u201d We get response from New York Congressmember Nydia Vel\u00e1zquez, who has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1993. She is the first Puerto Rican woman to be elected to Congress and is the former chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.<\/p>\n
This is a rush transcript. Copy may not be in its final form.<\/em><\/p>\n JUAN<\/span> GONZ\u00c1LEZ:<\/strong> We begin today by looking at the fight in Congress over disaster aid for Puerto Rico since it was ravaged by Hurricanes Maria and Irma in 2017. On Monday, two competing disaster relief bills stalled in the Senate as Democrats and President Trump continue to fight over federal relief funds for Puerto Rico. A companion bill to a January package passed in the House failed after Republicans objected to the lack of relief funding for recent flooding in the Midwest. Another Senate bill, supported by Republicans, fell short of the 60 votes it needed. It contained just $600 million for Puerto Rico\u2019s food stamp program, a number Democrats say is far too low as many Puerto Ricans are still recovering from the devastation of 2017\u2019s Hurricane…<\/p>\n<\/div>\n