DeLauro Votes No on Insufficient Disaster Relief Package

Washington, D.C. (December 22, 2017) — Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released the following statement after voting against the House Republicans' insufficient supplemental disaster relief proposal.

"Once again, the majority in Congress has proposed a disaster relief package that does not adequately meet the needs of millions of people who are suffering without power, water, shelter, or access to medicine. In particular, this bill does nothing to address Puerto Rico's Medicaid crisis. It also fails to give Puerto Rico the same child tax credit benefits we give to other states. That is simply unacceptable."

"Beyond its inadequacy on disaster relief, this bill continues the Republican assault on our social safety net. The majority's proposal cuts the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program—our nation's frontline hunger prevention program. In addition, it fails to include funding to rebuild Women, Infants, and Children program clinics, which ensure low-income families do not go hungry. Many clinics were damaged by hurricanes that hit Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and we should not turn a blind eye to the families who are in dire need of the lifeline the WIC program provides."

"All Americans affected by natural disasters deserve to be made whole. We cannot continue letting them down, and I will continue fighting until they receive every penny they are due from the federal government."