Congress Approves Disaster Aid

The U.S. Congress on Monday approved legislation providing $19.1 billion in emergency funding for disaster recovery efforts throughout the U.S., sending it to President Donald Trump to sign into law.

The Democratic-led House approved the measure on Monday. The Republican-led Senate approved it late last month. President Trump has said he supports the legislation, which includes aid for Puerto Rico.

The bill will assist farmers and others who have been hurt by a series of disasters over the past two years, including flooding, hurricanes, and wildfires. It has funds to repair highways and other infrastructure as well as cover crop losses.

The legislation also extends a national flood insurance program until Sept. 30. And, it expands a federal farm insurance program to include coverage for hemp crops, which was of particular interest to Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and his home state of Kentucky.

Source: Reuters