[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 84 (Monday, May 20, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S2953]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            DISASTER RELIEF

  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, on disaster relief, millions of Americans 
have waited long enough for their government to provide relief in the 
wake of recent natural disasters. We have 1 week left in this work 
period. This is crunch time. It will be an awful conclusion to this 
work period if we leave without passing a relief package. We must focus 
on concluding our negotiations and reaching consensus on our final 
legislation.
  That is why I am alarmed by rumors that the Republican majority may 
attach a simple extension of the Violence Against Women Act to the 
disaster bill rather than to the new reform bill that was passed by a 
huge bipartisan majority in the House. That is a formula for deadlock 
when we pass it here and send it to the House, but they will not vote 
for it.
  Why do we have to load up the disaster bill with extraneous 
provisions, especially those that might bring conflict?
  We must be very careful not to allow this and other extraneous 
provisions to get on the bill that have opposition from Members. It 
would only imperil the success of bipartisan disaster relief. We have 
come to a conclusion on Puerto Rico, and I am glad our Republican 
friends have finally seen the light and have not treated Puerto Rico 
unfairly so that we can move forward with all disaster relief.
  The President sent over a proposal on the border, and we have sent 
back a counter proposal with many of the things--but not all--that he 
included. Some are objectionable. That is extraneous, but we might be 
able to come to an agreement on that.
  These other extraneous provisions? Our Republican leader has said 
that he wants to get this done Thursday. Well, a surefire way of not 
doing it is jamming the House, filling it up with provisions that would 
not pass the House.
  So let's all roll up our sleeves, get to work, refrain from our 
desires to put other things on this must-pass bill, and get disaster 
relief done. We Democrats will work in good faith to resolve all the 
remaining issues. But before the week is out, let's get a bill we can 
vote on. Let's deliver relief to disaster-stricken Americans and put an 
end to what has been a needlessly partisan episode.

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