“The legislation we’re considering this week would help growers and producers with storm-related crop losses,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said in floor remarks Thursday morning. | Alex Wong/Getty Images Congress McConnell blocks further amendments to disaster aid bill

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Thursday took procedural steps to block further amendments to a massive disaster aid bill, a move sure to anger Democrats.

Senate Democrats are threatening to oppose the $13 billion dollar disaster aid bill unless it includes more money for Puerto Rico, even as President Donald Trump complains that Congress is providing too much money to the island.


Democrats have given Republicans three ways to win their support: pass legislation already approved by the House, pass a shell appropriations bill and negotiate in conference, or adopt an amendment from Senate Appropriations Committee ranking member Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) that requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development to release more money to Puerto Rico.

In a procedural move, Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) offered a substitute amendment which will contain the full text of the disaster aid package Thursday.

The measure would provide crucial assistance to several Southern and Midwestern states affected by recent storms. Shelby’s amendment is pending. The Senate voted on a shell bill Tuesday to move forward on disaster relief and adding Shelby's amendment is the next step.

“The legislation we’re considering this week would help growers and producers with storm-related crop losses,” McConnell (R-Ky.) said in floor remarks Thursday morning. “It would help local infrastructure — from roads to schools and hospitals — resume full operation. And it would help our nation’s military restore readiness at bases and installations that were caught in harm’s way.”

