Senate Appropriations Chairman Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) said he pulled his controversial proposal for harbor maintenance funding from the stalled disaster aid bill after meeting with President Donald Trump Monday, CQ reported.
Senate and House lawmakers appeared to be on track Tuesday to pass a disaster relief package this week, which would include disaster recovery funds for Puerto Rico, humanitarian assistance for the southern border and disaster repair funding for several military installations.
If an agreement is reached by Tuesday evening, a bill could sent to the House as early as Wednesday, according CQ. The Senate would then follow Thursday.
Shelby said the president appeared to support the level of border funding in the disaster bill, and that the White House hoped the emergency legislation pass soon.
“We had a good meeting,” Shelby said of the meeting with Trump and other senior White House officials.
Shelby said it is crucial to reach an agreement on the disaster package in the next day in order to pass it before the Memorial Day recess. Democrats and Republicans are reviewing a new House GOP offer, according to aides on both sides of the aisle.
Army photo by Sgt. James McCann
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