The Jubilee Blog

Disaster Relief Fails to Pass House of Representatives for Third Time

May 31, 2019

Washington DC - For a third time in a week, the House of Representatives failed to pass a $19.1 billion disaster aid bill to benefit disaster troubled US States and Territories. Because Congress is on recess, votes in the House of Representatives require "unanimous consent" and any Member of Congress can block a vote. On Thursday, Tennessee Rep. John Rose (R) blocked the disaster package.

"Americans are struggling to recover and are waiting for this disaster assistance," said Eric LeCompte the Executive Director of Jubilee USA, a religious development organization. "We have agreement for disaster assistance from the Senate and the White House. Now the House needs to pass disaster relief."

Senate passed the disaster package last week. President Trump committed to sign the package into law after it passes the House. After recess, the full House of Representatives is expected to pass the aid package.

"We are waiting on the House of Representatives to move forward critically needed aid for US citizens that live from California to Puerto Rico," said LeCompte.

The disaster bill includes over $900 million in funds for Puerto Rico and expedites the release of $8.9 billion already approved for Puerto Rico disaster relief.

Congress Fails Again to Pass Disaster Aid Package for Puerto Rico, US States and Territories

May 30, 2019

Washington DC - For a third time, the House of Representatives failed to pass a $19.1 billion disaster aid bill to benefit disaster troubled US States and Territories. The Senate passed the disaster package last Thursday. Tennessee Rep. John Rose (R) blocked the legislation Thursday. The legislation, expected to be signed into law by the White House, includes nearly $1 billion in funds for Puerto Rico and expedites the release of $8.9 billion already approved for Puerto Rico disaster relief.

Eric LeCompte the Executive Director of Jubilee USA, a religious development organization, releases the following statement:

"Americans are struggling to recover and are waiting for this disaster assistance.

"We have agreement for disaster assistance from the Senate and the White House.

"We are waiting on the House of Representatives to move forward critically needed aid for US citizens that live from Puerto Rico to California."

House Delays Disaster Package for Puerto Rico, US States and Territories

May 24, 2019

Washington DC - The House of Representatives delayed a vote on a $19.1 billion disaster bill that would aid Americans in a number of US States and Territories. After the disaster supplemental passed the Senate on Thursday, the House attempted a voice vote which requires "unanimous consent." Texas Representative Chip Roy blocked the vote. The full House won't vote until June, when Members of Congress return from recess. The legislation, expected to be signed into law by the White House, includes nearly $1 billion in funds for Puerto Rico and expedites the release of $8.9 billion already approved for Puerto Rico disaster relief.

Eric LeCompte the Executive Director of Jubilee USA, a religious development organization, releases the following statement:

"The House of Representatives must follow the Senate and pass disaster relief for millions of suffering Americans.

"More than a million Americans in Puerto Rico lost disaster food assistance in March and they are still waiting for that aid to be restored."

Congress, White House Move Disaster Relief for Puerto Rico, US States and Territories

May 23, 2019

Washington, DC - On Thursday, the Senate passed a $19.1 billion disaster relief plan to aid Americans recovering from natural disasters in US Territories like Puerto Rico and States including Iowa. The House of Representatives and the White House are expected to approve the Senate plan.

"Millions of Americans are suffering and this disaster relief plan is urgently needed. We applaud Senate leaders and the White House for agreeing on a disaster deal," noted Eric LeCompte who leads the religious development group Jubilee USA. "In Puerto Rico alone, more than a million Americans lost disaster food assistance in March and that aid is finally restored."

The $19 billion disaster package includes nearly a billion dollars of disaster aid for Puerto Rico. The Senate package includes $600 million in disaster food assistance for more than 1.3 million people in Puerto Rico. Another $300 million will support housing rebuilding funds for Puerto Rico. The agreement expedites allocation of $8.9 billion in monies Congress already passed for Puerto Rico. Less than $15 billion of the $50 billion Congress approved for Puerto Rico reached the island to date.

The disaster package aids Americans in a number of US States and Territories recovering from hurricanes, floods, wildfires and other natural disasters. Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, American Samoa, California, Florida, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia and Kansas will benefit from the package.

Houses Passes Disaster Aid Package for Puerto Rico, US States and Territories

May 10, 2019

DC - On Friday, the House of Representatives passed disaster relief legislation to benefit US States, Territories and municipalities recovering from wildfires, floods and hurricanes. Senate legislation remains on hold as the White House and Senate debate the need for disaster funding to be included for Puerto Rico in a Senate package.

"The Senate needs to stop debating relief aid for Puerto Rico and pass a disaster package that ensures all Americans, no matter where they live, can access needed recovery funds," noted Eric LeCompte who leads the religious development group Jubilee USA. "Republicans and Democrats joined together in the House to pass disaster aid for all Americans and now the Senate needs to follow the House's example."

The House disaster package passed 257-150 and included support from thirty-four Republicans who broke ranks with the President and voted for the aid bill. More than $19 billion dollars is included in the House legislation to benefit Americans suffering from natural disasters or impacted by the US-China trade war.

"The political games in the Senate need to stop and the recovery aid needs to be delivered," said LeCompte. "While the Senate debates aid, US citizens from California to Puerto Rico are suffering."

Before Hurricanes Maria and Irma decimated Puerto Rico in 2017, the island was dealing with a $72 billion debt crisis. Last week, Puerto Rico's federally installed oversight board filed a court petition to declare $9 billion in debt "unconstitutional" or debt that should not be paid because it is not legitimate.