Rep. Bishop Issues Statement on Senate Passage of Disaster Aid Bill

WASHINGTON, May 24 -- Rep. Sanford D. Bishop Jr., D-Georgia, chairman of the House Appropriations subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies, issued the following statement after the Senate passed a $19.1 billion disaster aid bill, which was then blocked by a House GOP member who objected to unanimous consent, keeping the bill from going directly to President Trump's desk:

"I am disappointed that Americans continue to be denied the disaster aid they so desperately need," said Bishop. "While communities from coast to coast and in the territories suffered after devastation by hurricanes, wildfires, floods, and other natural disasters, the Administration and upper chamber played politics with Americans' livelihoods. Yesterday, after months of delay, the Senate passed an updated bill, which the House was expected to pass by unanimous consent, sending it immediately to the President's desk to be signed into law.

"Unfortunately, the suffering of Americans will continue thanks to a single House GOP member, who objected to a bill that is certain to pass when the House is back in session. It is unacceptable and cruel to make disaster victims wait even a day longer for critical aid.

"As I said last October after touring the damage from Hurricane Michael with the President, Vice President, and US Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, 'Responding to natural disasters and helping our communities recover is a responsibility we all share regardless of political party.'

"I hope the House will be able to pass the bill by unanimous consent next week, without further sabotage by an extreme wing in the Minority party."

A summary of the bicameral, bipartisan disaster relief package is available here (https://appropriations.house.gov/sites/democrats.appropriations.house.gov/files/Emergency%20Supplemental%20Summary.pdf)