House Passes Storm Aid With Puerto Rico, Flood Coverage Lifeline

  • Congress acts as Trump threatens to pull FEMA out of island
  • Some conservatives rebel over lack of spending cuts in bill

Ryan Says Puerto Rico on 'Its Own Two Feet' Is Goal

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The House passed a $36.5 billion hurricane and wildfire relief bill Thursday that would give Puerto Rico access to $4.9 billion in low-interest Treasury loans and allow the troubled National Flood Insurance Program to keep paying claims.

The 353-69 vote sends the measure to the Senate, which is expected to take it up after returning to Washington on Monday from a week-long recess. A number of Republicans voted against the bill because it doesn’t make spending cuts to pay for the funding and doesn’t overhaul the flood insurance program.