Two and a half months after Hurricane Sandy made landfall in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, and over a week after House of Representatives leadership let the 112th Congress end without a vote, a $50.7 billion relief package has passed through the House. One hundred ninety-two Democrats and 49 Republicans voted “yes” on the measure, for a final count of 241 to 180. The bill is expected to be voted in by the Senate and signed by Obama, and will go towards rebuilding homes, businesses, and infrastructure, and reimburse state and local governments for relief expenses they’ve incurred thus far.
The mood among New York politicians including was both celebratory and reserved. Long Island Republican Peter King expressed a common sentiment. “It is unfortunate that we had to fight so hard to be treated the same as every other state has been treated,” he said.
(Photo: Mike Renlund/Flickr)
