The Senate overwhelmingly passed a 19 billion dollar disaster aid bill in the Senate. The vote was 85-8:
FOX NEWS – The Senate on Thursday afternoon approved a $19 billion disaster-relief bill to help several states and Puerto Rico recover from hurricanes, floods and wildfires — after President Trump backed off from his demand that border security money be added to the package.
Lawmakers overwhelmingly passed the measure with an 85-8 vote; eight Republicans opposed it. Congress is expected to pass the bill before leaving for its weeklong recess ahead of Memorial Day.
“We expect the bill will pass the House, and the president, despite his protestations, will sign the bill,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said.
The legislation is crucial to states still reeling from devastating hurricanes over the past two years and epic flooding that drenched Iowa, Nebraska and Missouri. It would provide over $600 million in nutrition assistance and $304 million in aid for Puerto Rico, which was devastated by Hurricane Maria in 2017.
Trump had initially requested 4.5 billion be added for the border, but Democrats refused. Trump finally pulled his request and the budget bill passed.
The 8 votes against, however, were from these Republicans:
Blackburn (R-TN)
Braun (R-IN)
Crapo (R-ID)
Lee (R-UT)
McSally (R-AZ)
Paul (R-KY)
Risch (R-ID)
Romney (R-UT)
The Republicans who didn’t vote at all are below. Everyone else voted for the bill:
Alexander (R-TN)
Capito (R-WV)
Enzi (R-WY)
Moran (R-KS)
Rounds (R-SD)
Toomey (R-PA)