US Senate liberals propose new steps for Puerto Rico recovery

WASHINGTON (Reuters) ? Puerto Rico would get substantial debt relief and other new aid to help it recover from destruction inflicted by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in September, under legislation unveiled on Tuesday by leading liberals in the U.S. Senate.

Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent, and Senator Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat, called for a new ?emergency credit facility? of up to $57.2 billion for Puerto Rico and $5 billion for the Virgin Islands, according to a summary of the bill.

The bill would also extend the deadline for individuals to apply for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The legislation cannot advance without the support of Republicans, who hold a slim majority in the Senate.