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Senate Republicans from North Carolina and South Carolina insisted that disaster relief be included in any spending deal and be passed before they leave for recess. They also threatened to filibuster if relief gets shunted from the package.
Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina added that President-elect Donald Trump had reaffirmed his support for including disaster aid in the package.
“At the end of the day, the people of North Carolina, the people of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, the list goes on, Tennessee, need relief today, because everyone needs to understand, we’re talking about a possible government shutdown here in Washington while there are parts of this country that have been affected by the storm who are effectively shut down, and until we fund them, they have no hope,” Tillis said.
He went on to say that he is deciding between trying to block a vote on a potential funding bill if it doesn’t include disaster relief funds. Tillis added that “you’re going to hear these stories on the Senate floor for as long as my voice and my colleagues’ voice can be heard.”
Tillis also said Trump agreed with his stance on the importance of disaster relief within government funding. The senator also said he agrees with Trump’s disapproval to yesterday’s continuing resolution.
GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina echoed Tillis, saying that “disaster relief is an absolute must to get my vote and my support.”
Asked whether Trump hurt their chances of passing disaster relief by coming out against the first package, and demanding the debt ceiling be addressed, Tillis and Graham told CNN’s Manu Raju that they agreed with Trump that the initial deal was too bloated — and Tillis added that he would support doing away with the debt limit altogether.
“I think President Trump and I are in agreement that I don’t even know why we continue to have the debt limit drama,” Tillis said.
