House Passes $50-Billion Sandy Relief Package
By Tim Jimenez
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The House of Representatives passed a $50-and-a-half-billion dollar bill for Hurricane Sandy relief Tuesday night.
"We were really sweating this out until the very last minute," New Jersey Republican Congressman Frank LoBiondo said.
The final tally was 241 to 180 in favor of the package. $17 billion slated for immediate recovery from Sandy and $33 billion for long-term recovery and investment. This is on top of almost 10 billion the House approved earlier this month.
"It's a big relief now, but I got to tell you it's been a torturous process."
LoBiondo represents some of the hardest hit parts of the Jersey shore.
"These are real people with real lives and real tragedies who hopefully we can help get back on their feet."
Some of the money would go towards FEMA's disaster relief aid fund and LoBiondo says critical dollars will come in to help shore communities rebuild.
"That's Army Corps of Engineers, block grants the Governor will use to help businesses get back on their feet. FEMA does not cover small businesses so this was critically important."
The bill is now awaiting Senate approval.
