Senate Disaster Bill Stalls Amidst Puerto Rico Dispute

US Senate efforts to approve an emergency disaster supplemental appropriations bill stalled after Democrats defeated a measure to fund emergency relief for the affected states that would have left out critical House-passed language for Puerto Rico. The debate over Puerto Rico dominated the discussion, specifically the approximately $600 million for nutritional assistance to Puerto Rico (this provision is in both measures), $25 million for the Martín Peña Channel dredging project and a federal cost share waiver for FEMA projects (the last two provisions were in the House-passed bill, but not in the Senate Republican version). Senate Democratic amendments to fix the Republican bill were not allowed and the debate will continue with no resolution in sight.

In Tweet-storm, Trump Blasts Island Politicians

In his latest tweet-storm about Puerto Rico, President Trump continued to insist, incorrectly, that the Island has received more natural disaster funds than states that also suffered natural disasters in 2017. He also incorrectly repeated his assertion that the Island received $91 billion in assistance and that the “corrupt politicians” on the Island have not spent the money wisely. Independent observers all agree that Congress approved nowhere near that amount for the Island, with the actual number being closer to $30 billion, and that the federal government has only sent Puerto Rico a fraction of that amount. In response to the ongoing statements by the President, Governor Ricardo Rosselló told CNN that, “If the bully gets close, I’ll punch the bully in the mouth.”

This is not the first time President Trump has chosen to unleash his anger on Puerto Ricans. Last year, Trump questioned the official Hurricane Maria death toll count, which stands at 3,000 Puerto Rican US Citizens.

Education and Public Security Secretaries Resign

Governor Rosselló accepted the resignation of two of his most prominent and controversial cabinet secretaries: Public Security Department chief Héctor Pesquera and Education head Julia Keleher. Keleher’s appointment was controversial from the beginning, since she is not Puerto Rican and was a consultant for the Department for years. While Keleher’s resignation is effective immediately, she will continue to advise the Government of Puerto Rico as a consultant. The now former Secretary often sparred with reporters and was the face of the Governor’s plan to close more than 400 schools, as well as usher in school vouchers and charter schools, which were previously not allowed by law. Rosselló appointed Eleuterio Álamo, a regional Department director, as interim Secretary.

Pesquera has also been a controversial figure, most notably for his role as the lead government official tasked with overseeing the post-hurricane death toll count. The media often accused him of stonewalling and making contradictory statements. Pesquera, a former FBI agent who served as Police Superintendent for former Governors Luis Fortuño and Alejandro García Padilla, will stay in his post until April 30th.