Dems whipping against emergency storm funding

[DonViejo]

Source: The Hill




BY MIKE LILLIS - 12/21/17 10:42 AM EST

House Democratic leaders are whipping against the Republicans’ $81 billion disaster aid package, Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said Thursday, just hours before the bill is expected to hit the floor.

The Democrats have been pressing for a robust relief package addressing this year’s devastating hurricanes and wildfires, but Hoyer said the Democrats will oppose the GOP bill because it treats the victims in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands differently than those in the States. The Democrats, Hoyer said, want those territories “to be dealt with in a fair way.”

“It’s not in this bill,” Hoyer said, emerging from a Democratic whip meeting in the Capitol basement.

“Obviously, there are good things in the supplemental, but it continues to be [that] they put things in these bills they know we don’t like.”

Read more: http://thehill.com/homenews/house/365976-dems-whipping-against-emergency-storm-funding

[groundloop]

1. They'd better do a good job of explaining lest we become the party that hates storm victims

I totally get where our leadership is coming from on this, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have gotten screwed over when it comes to storm relief. However, I KNOW that repubs will spin this as "Democrats are against storm relief" and "Democrats want to kill storm victims".

[IMnotU]

2. Not a good public perception

It does not matter why, it is what is perceived that is important in politics. Why do we not want to help the people of TX and FL will be the only question asked. As an aside- how is it not fair to the people of PR and VI? Please explain this to me.

[LanternWaste]

4. As per the story...

"As an aside- how is it not fair to the people of PR and VI? Please explain this to me...."


As per the story...

"First, they think the $81 billion is an inadequate amount to cover Puerto Rico by itself, let alone for covering the island territories in addition to all the states — including California, Texas and Florida — that have suffered natural disasters in recent months.

Second, the Republicans' bill does not delineate where, specifically, the money will go. The Democrats fear that the states will get a lion's share of the $81 billion, leaving the territories to suffer.

And third, the GOP bill also expands the powers of the outside control board established to manage Puerto Rico's debt-crisis — a provision that's anathema to many Democrats, particularly those with Puerto Rican roots, who have long criticized the board for infringing on the territory's autonomy.

[not fooled]

3. Puerto Ricans

please be sure to vote against pukes at every opportunity.

[Wuddles440]

5. This is a loser....

because the RepubliCONS will portray the Democrats' opposition as lacking decency and compassion for storm victims. While I appreciate the reason and factual basis for such opposition, the CONS are the masters of messaging and media manipulation. They're probably already locked, loaded, and ready to roll with a propaganda blitz. The Dems won't know what hit them, get defensive, and look extremely pathetic in the public forum. Until the Dems figure out how to effectively message and market their ideas, it's probably best that they just take a pass on this and live to fight another day.

[jayfish]

6. Dumb!

Just pass the bill and use the fallout as a cudgel against Republicans. Why is it so hard for Democrats to get messaging right.