Latest News:  

English>>World

U.S. Congress passes 50.5-bln-USD Sandy relief

(Xinhua)

13:15, January 29, 2013

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Senate on Monday passed the 50.5-billion-dollar relief bill for Superstorm Sandy, sending it to the White House for President Barack Obama's signature.

The bill, which passed the upper chamber with a 62-36 vote, was geared toward providing relief for residents and businesses in states affected by Sandy, which struck the U.S. mainland late last year. The bill would also pay for state and local governments' rebuilding projects stemming from the storm.

The bill includes 16 billion in Community Development Block Grant money critical for rebuilding, 10.9 billion for public transportation projects, and 13 billion to safeguard the Northeast against another storm.

The House passed the bill on Jan. 15, after being criticized for reacting too slow to the needs of those affected by the storm, who Northeastern lawmakers said desperately need the money.

The bill was met with resistance in both chambers from budget hawks, who tried to offset the spending with cuts to other programs, in order not to increase federal deficit.

The vote brings the total relief amount approved by Congress for Sandy aid to 60.2 billion. That includes 9.7 billion that the House and Senate approved on Jan. 4 to pay flood insurance claims related to the storm.

Sandy made landfall in New Jersey in late October, causing widespread damage in 24 states, killing over 100 people and causing at least 60 billion dollars of damage.

We recommend:

Protesters call for pullout of U.S. troops

Heavy snowfall hits London, Britain

Obama and First Lady dance during Inaugural ball

Rally held to welcome Grand Rabbi in Jerusalem

Unforgettable moments you cannot miss in January

The world in photos(2013.1.13-1.20)

Email|Print|Comments(Editor:李想、张茜)

Leave your comment0 comments

  1. Name

  

Selections for you


  1. Submarine flotilla in torpedo rapid-support

  2. Soldiers in emergency military drill

  3. The world in photos (2013.1.21-1.27)

  4. Panda 'Yaya' trained in China's Shaanxi

  5. Buildings collapse after subsidence

  6. Dense fog stages a choking comeback

  7. Incredible old photos

  8. CCTV hosts and their lovers

  9. China to build its first third-generation nuclear plant

  10. Nation's wind farms heading offshore

Most Popular

Opinions

  1. 'China's demographic dividend disappearing'
  2. Purpose of Japanese politicians' China tour
  3. Why world focus on China's anti-corruption
  4. Japan PM: Door open for talks with China
  5. Y-20 marks transformation of PLA air force
  6. Is UK's withdrawal from EU a show?
  7. China's anti-missile test no threat to peace
  8. Children toy with new forms of leisure
  9. Egyptians' rallies reflect growing political awareness
  10. Princess's unique perspective for cultural integration

What’s happening in China

Buildings collapse after subsidence in S China

  1. 91% of Shanghai's job-related crime is corruption
  2. China launches fire risk campaign
  3. 10 dead in Heilongjiang train-bus collision
  4. Hot debate on how to keep South warm
  5. Rewards for diners who leave nothing