SEIU Issues Statement on Disaster Relief Bill

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- The Service Employees International Union issued the following statement by Executive Vice President Rocio Saenz after Congress released an insufficient disaster relief supplemental for Texas, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and California:

"Once again, the Trump administration and Congressional Republicans have shown us their lack of concern for our fellow Americans in Puerto Rico. Leaving over three million Puerto Ricans to spend their holidays without access to power, clean water and medical care is deplorable.

"This is not the time for inaction; this is a time for Congress to do its job. Voters have repeatedly demonstrated this year that they want to protect working families and keep them together, ensure access to affordable healthcare, and help families that have been devastated by natural disasters.

"Congress must show us that our priorities are their priorities by passing a no-strings attached DREAM Act, funding the CHIP program and addressing the humanitarian crisis in Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and elsewhere.

"Unfortunately and shamefully, it does not seem that Leader McConnell and Speaker Ryan share these priorities, and are instead prioritizing the demands of their millionaire and billionaire donors who overwhelmingly benefit from a misguided tax bill over all else."