Donald Trump’s racist hatred of Puerto Rico is holding up aid for states across the country that have suffered recent disasters. A $14.2 billion disaster aid bill has passed the House, while the Senate is getting ready to take up a $13.5 billion bill. The problem is White House opposition.
Trump has recently asked officials how to limit aid to Puerto Rico and has lied about how much money has already gone to the island, even as it slashed food benefits because of the delay in federal funding. The question is whether Trump’s hatred of Puerto Rico, which he doesn’t seem to understand is part of the U.S., will outweigh the political pressure to pass disaster aid across the board.
Much of the southeast—states Trump needs to win in 2020—was hit by hurricanes last year. There’s now flooding in the Midwest, also crucial to Trump’s political fortunes. California needs money to recover from wildfires. Alaska had an earthquake. And in addition to Trump’s own 2020 chances, some of his Senate allies like Georgia’s David Perdue and North Carolina’s Thom Tillis could face tough re-elections.
Perdue in particular has expressed concern about the disaster funding bill, saying last month that “We are past the time when this should have gotten done. I have spoken with the president many times about this. His commitment to our farmers is unwavering.” Except … the White House is still the hold-up on the bill passing.