The GOP offers more help from Puerto Rico in its latest offer to Democrats

Congressional Republicans on Thursday presented a new proposal to help the Democrats lift the blockade on Puerto Rico, but it is unlikely that this stalemate will end the bitter stalemate that has lasted for many years. months and frustrated both parties, according to several employees.

The latest offer of Republican funding would add billions of dollars to the current Senate bill on disasters, which would distribute critical funds to states ravaged by forest fires, hurricanes and severe floods. It includes hundreds of millions of additional dollars for Puerto Rico, but does not solve the main problem, which pits Democrats against President Donald Trump since last year.

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"It's a more realistic offer than last time, but it does not say much," said a Democratic assistant.

Leaders on both sides are trying to distribute the money before Memorial Day, while desperation is growing in half a dozen states, from Iowa to California. But they continue to face obstacles, including from the president himself.

Trump was in Florida Wednesday night promising to provide disaster relief quickly in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael last October. But he continues to seek new funding for Puerto Rico, mistakenly asserting at an impromptu press conference Thursday that the territory had already secured $ 91 billion in aid to deal with a large-scale hurricane that hit the country. 000 dead.

The bill was also survey by the Senate Supply Committee Chair, Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), as he seeks to release more money for port maintenance funds for his home country.

Democrats in the House are due to vote Friday on their own package of disaster measures, which includes long-deferred money for California's devastated regions, as well as southern areas – like Florida , Georgia and Alabama – who have been affected by hurricanes last summer.

But Thursday night, Trump warned GOP lawmakers.

"House Republicans should not vote for the ADB DEMOCRAT's additional disaster bill, which is hurting our states, farmers and border security," said the president. wrote on Twitter. "Ready for the vote tomorrow. We want to do a lot better than that. All parties continue to work and send a good invoice for immediate signature! "

House and Senate Leaders Try to Develop Disaster Assistance Program Separately with New White House Emergency Funding Application, Requiring $ 4.5 Billion for Growing Humanitarian Crisis at the border.

Some of the more Republicans, including White House officials, had tried in private to combine the two urgently needed requests. But Democrats have so far resisted the idea of ​​adding money for the Department of Homeland Security to an already politically difficult package.

Expenditure leaders from both sides said they were making progress after a weekend round of negotiations that had not led to any progress.

Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), The most Democratic Senate credentials committee, said Thursday that he felt "a little better" about the talks.

The package of measures against forest fires and hurricanes – as well as the separate package of aid at the border – are considered essential tests of how Democratic House leaders will work with the Republican Senate to avoid a series of tax battles later this year. This includes the annual funding deadline of 30 September, as well as the fight against the debt ceiling and spending cuts.

Caitlin Emma and Marianne LeVine contributed to this report.