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Hurricane Sandy relief: Congress to vote on $9.7bn aid package Hurricane Sandy relief: Congress to vote on $9.7bn aid package
(4 months later)
Congress was due to vote Friday on the first large aid package for victims of Hurricane Sandy.Congress was due to vote Friday on the first large aid package for victims of Hurricane Sandy.
The newly seated Congress scheduled to consider a $9.7bn measure to pay flood insurance claims after a vote on Sandy aid by the outgoing, Republican-controlled House of Representatives was put off earlier this week.The newly seated Congress scheduled to consider a $9.7bn measure to pay flood insurance claims after a vote on Sandy aid by the outgoing, Republican-controlled House of Representatives was put off earlier this week.
New Jersey's outspoken Republican governor, Chris Christie, railed against his own party and joined New York's Democratic governor Andrew Cuomo in calling the move a "disgrace".New Jersey's outspoken Republican governor, Chris Christie, railed against his own party and joined New York's Democratic governor Andrew Cuomo in calling the move a "disgrace".
After Christie's outburst, House Speaker John Boehner assured angry lawmakers that votes on the states' entire request for more than $60bn in aid would be held by the middle of the month.After Christie's outburst, House Speaker John Boehner assured angry lawmakers that votes on the states' entire request for more than $60bn in aid would be held by the middle of the month.
Sandy was blamed for 120 deaths in several states, most in New York and New Jersey, and it was the most costly natural disaster since Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005. Lawmakers have complained that it took just 10 days for Congress to approve about $50bn in aid for Katrina.Sandy was blamed for 120 deaths in several states, most in New York and New Jersey, and it was the most costly natural disaster since Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005. Lawmakers have complained that it took just 10 days for Congress to approve about $50bn in aid for Katrina.
The storm ripped apart the New Jersey shore and parts of the New York City area coastline, leaving thousands homeless.The storm ripped apart the New Jersey shore and parts of the New York City area coastline, leaving thousands homeless.
If the House of Representatives approves the flood insurance proposal as expected Friday, the Senate planned to follow with a likely uncontested vote later in the day.If the House of Representatives approves the flood insurance proposal as expected Friday, the Senate planned to follow with a likely uncontested vote later in the day.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has warned that the National Flood Insurance Program will run out of money next week if Congress does npt provide additional borrowing authority to pay out claims. Congress created the Fema-run program in 1968 because few private insurers covered flood damage.The Federal Emergency Management Agency has warned that the National Flood Insurance Program will run out of money next week if Congress does npt provide additional borrowing authority to pay out claims. Congress created the Fema-run program in 1968 because few private insurers covered flood damage.
Northeast lawmakers say the money is urgently needed for storm victims awaiting claim checks from the late October storm. "People are waiting to be paid," said congressman Frank LoBiondo, whose district includes the casino-filled Atlantic City and many other coastal communities. "They're sleeping in rented rooms on cots somewhere, and they're not happy. They want to get their lives back on track, and it's cold outside. They see no prospect of relief."Northeast lawmakers say the money is urgently needed for storm victims awaiting claim checks from the late October storm. "People are waiting to be paid," said congressman Frank LoBiondo, whose district includes the casino-filled Atlantic City and many other coastal communities. "They're sleeping in rented rooms on cots somewhere, and they're not happy. They want to get their lives back on track, and it's cold outside. They see no prospect of relief."
About 140,000 Sandy-related flood insurance claims have been filed, Fema officials said, and most have yet to be closed out. Many flood victims have only received partial payments.About 140,000 Sandy-related flood insurance claims have been filed, Fema officials said, and most have yet to be closed out. Many flood victims have only received partial payments.
The storm damaged or destroyed more than 72,000 homes and businesses in New Jersey. In New York, 305,000 housing units were damaged or destroyed and more than 265,000 businesses were affected.The storm damaged or destroyed more than 72,000 homes and businesses in New Jersey. In New York, 305,000 housing units were damaged or destroyed and more than 265,000 businesses were affected.
The flood insurance measure is the first phase of a proposed Sandy aid package. The House will vote on 15 January on an additional $51bn in recovery money. Senate action on that measure is expected the following week.The flood insurance measure is the first phase of a proposed Sandy aid package. The House will vote on 15 January on an additional $51bn in recovery money. Senate action on that measure is expected the following week.
More than $2bn in federal money has been spent so far on relief efforts for 11 states and the District of Columbia struck by the storm.More than $2bn in federal money has been spent so far on relief efforts for 11 states and the District of Columbia struck by the storm.
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