How politics screwed Puerto Rico out of billions in disaster aid
The hurricane-wracked island was denied billions in extra Medicaid funds. Now Republicans and Democrats are sniping over who's to blame.
By JOHN BRESNAHAN and HEATHER CAYGLE 12/23/2017 07:02 AM EST
On Wednesday night, as Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and his top lieutenants struggled to pass the disaster aid package — as well as a funding bill to keep the government open — House Majority Whip Steve Scalise reached out to Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-N.Y.) with an offer: Would Democrats back the disaster supplemental if Republicans added billions in Medicaid funding for Puerto Rico?
At that point, Scalise and other GOP leaders were in a bind. They didn’t know if they could pass the disaster aid bill because Texas and Florida lawmakers wanted more money for their states. Members from those delegations were threatening to bring down legislation to keep the government open, triggering a politically embarrassing shutdown for Republicans since they control the Congress and White House.
In the end, Velazquez, who was born in Puerto Rico and has been working to get more federal funding for the island territory, turned down the offer. That decision has set off fierce partisan finger-pointing, while denying hurricane-wracked Puerto Rico of at least $4.6 billion in extra money to provide Medicaid to poor residents, according to Republicans.
Democrats counter that Republicans should have just put the money in the bill in the first place without all the political maneuvering.
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https://www.politico.com/story/2017/12/23/puerto-rico-disaster-aid-medicaid-315974
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In a nutshell, republicans included tax provisions which treat Puerto Rico subsidiaries of American companies as if they are located in a foreign country, ultimately costing the island 200,000 jobs as it struggles to recover. In exchange for the job-killing provisions, republicans offered the much needed disaster aid.
Lying republicans are now saying Democrats rejected disaster aid. You canNOT trust these fuckers. Ever! 