'Puerto Rico should love President Trump.' Trump signs $19 billion disaster aid bill which was held up by his own Republican loyalists and says 'without me they would have been shut out!'
- President Trump signed a $19.1 billion disaster aid bill
- Trump tweeted a photo of himself holding the signed bill aboard Air Force One
- 'Puerto Rico should love President Trump,' Trump wrote
- He said the island would have been 'shut out'
- The bill was stalled for weeks as Democrats pushed for more aid to the storm-ravaged island and conservative Republicans demanded border wall funding
President Donald Trump has signed a $19.1 billion disaster aid bill aimed at helping communities across the country bounce back from hurricanes, floods, tornadoes and fires – and declared Puerto Rico 'should love President Trump.'
Trump tweeted a photo of himself holding the signed bill in what appeared to his office aboard Air Force One. The tweet came shortly after Trump landed in Ireland following a ceremony in France commemorating the D-Day invasion.
'Just signed Disaster Aid Bill to help Americans who have been hit by recent catastrophic storms,' Trump wrote, with a picture of himself aboard the presidential aircraft.
President Donald Trump, with first lady Melania Trump, points as they arrive at Shannon Airport, Thursday, June 6, 2019, in Shannon, Ireland. Trump signed a $19 billion disaster aid bill, and said Puerto Rico 'should love President Trump'
'So important for our GREAT American farmers and ranchers. Help for GA, FL, IA, NE, NC, and CA. Puerto Rico should love President Trump. Without me, they would have been shut out!'
The president could have signed the bill weeks ago, perhaps at a White House ceremony, however a string of conservative House Republicans held up final passage at the very end of the process, blocking a unanimous consent agreement over border wall funding an other issues.
The bill languished for months amid disputes over Trump's demand for funds to construct a border wall, as well as additional aid for Puerto Rico, which Trump opposed.
He eventually backed off the demand.
Trump tweeted an image of himself signing the bill
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President Donald Trump throws a paper towel roll as he visits the Cavalry Chapel in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico on October 3, 2017. Nearly two weeks after Hurricane Maria thrashed through the US territory, much of the islands remains short of food and without access to power or drinking water
Trump tweeted the Puerto Rico 'should love President Trump'
Trump nonetheless tweeted the U.S. territory 'should love President Trump,' claiming that, 'Without me, they would have been shut out!'
It suffered last minute hold ups while Congress was away for the Memorial Day recess. A series of conservative Freedom Caucus Republicans objected to it clearing the House on a voice vote – stalling the relief for days until the full House could be assembled.
Trump signed the bill as he wrapped up a trip to the U.K., Ireland, and France, where he commemorated the 75th anniversary of the D-Day invasion and visited his Irish golf course.
