Puerto Rico impasse blocks disaster aid bill
AP
1554160467000

Puerto Rico.jpeg

US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump disembark Air Force One upon arrival at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., Sunday, March 31, 2019. (Photo: AP)

US Senate Democrats have successfully blocked a GOP disaster aid bill, saying it doesn’t do enough to help hurricane-torn Puerto Rico.

The move escalates a fight between Democrats and President Donald Trump, who opposes further rebuilding aid to the US island territory, which was slammed by back-to-back hurricanes in 2017.

The $13.5 billion GOP measure would have sped badly needed disaster relief to southern farmers, wildfire-ravaged California towns and Midwestern flood victims. Democrats say more money is needed to help Puerto Rico rebuild its water system and finance additional disaster relief, and they say Trump has acted indifferently toward Puerto Ricans and their struggles.

The move by Democrats sends GOP leaders back to the drawing board but appears unlikely to kill disaster aid efforts outright since there is such sweeping support.