Congress Passes Disaster Relief for Puerto Rico, US States and Territories

After repeated blocks by Republicans in the House of Representatives, a disaster relief bill is finally on its way to be signed by President Trump.

Washington DC - The House of Representatives voted Monday night to pass a $19.1 billion disaster bill for Puerto Rico, US States and Territories recovering from disasters.

"The passage of disaster relief for Americans from California to Puerto Rico is so needed,” Eric LeCompte the Executive Director of Jubilee USA, a religious development organization, said Monday. “We've worked for months for the passage of disaster relief and now it's a reality.”

The legislation includes more than $900 million for Puerto Rico recovery including $600 million in emergency disaster food assistance for vulnerable communities. The disaster package expedites the release of $8.9 billion already approved by Congress for Puerto Rico disaster relief.

President Trump committed to sign the disaster legislation into law.