On Monday evening, by a vote of 62-36, the Senate passed the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013, which will provide $50.5 billion in aid for Hurricane Sandy recovery. This legislation includes funding for FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund and will support the federal government’s recovery efforts through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Small Business Administration, and the Departments of Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, Interior, and Commerce. President Obama is expected to sign the long overdue bill immediately. Before passing the bill, the majority of Senators rejected an amendment from Senator Mike Lee of Utah that would impose across-the-board cuts to offset the new spending. Offsets like this are highly irregular on disaster relief bills.
After two Congresses, and significant delays in the House of Representatives, this bill passed the Senate on the eve of the three-month anniversary of the storm hitting the New Jersey coast. With only four short months until the start of the next Hurricane season, these resources will be put to work immediately to support recovery, restoration, and future storm mitigation.
After two Congresses, and significant delays in the House of Representatives, this bill passed the Senate on the eve of the three-month anniversary of the storm hitting the New Jersey coast. With only four short months until the start of the next Hurricane season, these resources will be put to work immediately to support recovery, restoration, and future storm mitigation.
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