Sen. Thom Tillis (RN.C.) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (RS.C.) on Thursday announced plans for the government that does not include disaster relief for victims of hurricanes Helen and Milton, which hit their states. He threatened to vote against the financial aid package.
Republican lawmakers issued a warning after President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance called on Congress to pass clear emergency funding measures with language to raise the debt ceiling.
But Mr. Trump and Mr. Vance expressed support for providing farmer assistance and disaster relief in a year-end funding package.
If House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) tries to move forward with a funding package without relief for North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and other states hit by natural disasters, he will face Republican opposition. will face a wave of defections.
“We need tens of billions of dollars in disaster relief,” Tillis said, arguing that the $100 billion in disaster relief included in the continuing resolution announced this week is not enough to repair the damage caused by the storm. did.
“I don't think $10 billion or $20 billion and a promise to do something more in March is an acceptable solution,” he said. “We know what the needs are today. It was negotiated in 2016.” [the] You need to package it to get my support to get out of here. ”
Sen. Lindsey Graham (RS.C.) called disaster relief “essential for South Carolina,” stressing that the storm's damage exceeded that of the infamous 1989 storm, Hurricane Hugo.
“I can't speak to the level of destruction that has hit South Carolina,” he said, noting that President Trump has promised to include disaster relief in any deal that funds the government.
“Disaster relief is absolutely necessary to get my vote and my support,” Graham said.
The South Carolina lawmaker said he is urging his colleagues to remove additional funding provisions from the continuing resolution and pass a relatively “clean” stopgap combined with disaster relief.
The senators made the comments as House Republican leaders gathered in Johnson's office on Saturday to develop a Plan B to avoid a government shutdown.
Republican sources told The Hill that Johnson has until March 14 to vote on government funding, including $100 billion in disaster relief and $10 billion in economic aid for farmers.
Republicans voted to remove language that would have given lawmakers raises and allowed year-round sales of high-ethanol gasoline, known as E15.
