Congress approves storm relief for Sandy victims - latimes.com

Congress approves storm relief for Sandy victims - latimes.com: "WASHINGTON — Responding to the political furor over delays in disaster aid to the Northeast, Congress on Friday approved a $9.7-billion flood insurance measure, the first installment of potentially $60 billion in Superstorm Sandy relief.

The action comes after New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Rep. Peter T. King of New York, among others, blasted House Speaker John A. Boehner, a fellow Republican, for putting off a vote on a relief measure in the closing hours of the 112th Congress.

The House approved the bill, 354 to 67, with all the no votes coming from Republicans. It then passed the Senate on a voice vote. President Obama is expected to sign the measure."

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House to begin voting Friday on aid for Sandy victims | Nation/World | Detroit Free Press | freep.com

House to begin voting Friday on aid for Sandy victims | Nation/World | Detroit Free Press | freep.com: "WASHINGTON -- "The House will vote Friday on a $9.7 billion measure to fund the National Flood Insurance Program, then will act two weeks later on an additional $50.3 billion in disaster relief for victims of Superstorm Sandy, House Republicans said Wednesday.

Republican Rep. Pete King of New York said the package will add up to the approximately $60 billion in disaster aid sought by Northeast states pummeled by the Oct. 29 storm.

The Senate passed a $60.4 billion disaster aid bill on Friday, but that vote will be largely meaningless if the House waits to act until after the new Congress is sworn in at noon on Thursday. At that point, work on Sandy disaster aid would begin again from scratch."

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