Pelosi tries to push Puerto Rico aid bill

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) tried unsuccessfully to bring up a measure to provide temporary aid to Puerto Rico moments before the House began voting on the omnibus spending package on Friday.

The $1.1 trillion bill passed overwhelmingly, with a majority from both parties joining in the 316-113 vote.

One major objection from Democrats had been the lack of a provision in the bill to help Puerto Rico out of its debt crisis. 

{mosads}Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) has directed House committees to come up with a legislative solution by March 2016, but many Democrats are still seething it wasn’t included in the omnibus.

Pelosi tried to seek unanimous consent to immediately bring up legislation she introduced Friday. But Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-Fla.), who was presiding over House proceedings, denied the request on the grounds that it had not been agreed to by bipartisan party leaders.

The bill would provide Puerto Rico a temporary stay from creditor lawsuits while Congress considers debt restructuring legislation over the next few months. 

“Puerto Rico urgently needs this respite while Congress considers restructuring legislation,” Pelosi said.