Republicans block Senate disaster aid bill

[JohnWxy]

http://news.yahoo.com/republicans-block-senate-disaster-aid-bill-222053915.html


WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans blocked an effort Monday by Senate Democrats to quickly pass a $7 billion aid package for victims of recent natural disasters like Hurricane Irene, tornadoes in the Midwest and the South and floods along the Mississippi, Missouri and other rivers.

On a 53-33 vote, the Senate rejected an attempt by Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., to bring up a bill that Democrats had hoped to use to replenish the Federal Emergency Management Agency's depleted disaster fund. Democrats needed 60 votes to advance the measure.

Reid said FEMA has spent almost $400 million in the past two weeks on emergency help like food and shelter following Irene and has only about $300 million left.

President Barack Obama on Friday asked Congress for $500 million to make sure the disaster fund doesn't run out of cash before the end of the month. He also officially asked for $4.6 billion for the upcoming budget year that starts Oct. 1.

Earlier Monday, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., said Republicans will attach a disaster aid package to must-pass legislation for keeping the government fully running past Sept. 30. That stopgap spending bill is likely to advance next week.
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[Cali_Democrat]

1. Our government is completely broken

Anybody who says America is the greatest country in the world is full of shit!

Great countries don't do shit like this.

[RKP5637]

3. At this rate, America will be lucky if it's even around, eventually. n/t

[RKP5637]

2. They are unfit to serve. Shouldn't be anywhere near gov. n/t

[rhett o rick]

4. There must have been a number of Democrats voting no. Are they the Koch-Democrats? nm

[shireen]

5. are any of those senators from states affected by the hurricanes? nt

[blkmusclmachine]

6. GOP:

The Party of Death, Destruction, and Malaise.