(UPDATE) Senate Passes Sandy Aid

By a vote of 62-36, the Senate passed legislation providing just over $50 million in aid for victims of Hurricane Sandy. The bill now goes to the president for his signature. Congresswoman Nita Lowey, (D-NY), ranking Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, Monday made the following statement about the long-awaited approval of emergency disaster relief for families, businesses and communities affected by Superstorm Sandy:

“I am pleased that a bipartisan group of Senators have chosen to put vital disaster assistance for the people of New York and New Jersey above partisan fights and political calculations. This assistance package, which was passed by the House as the first order of business in the 113th Congress, will provide relief for the families and individuals affected by the storm, and help rebuild the transportation networks and public infrastructure that are critical to the region’s economy and quality of life.

“This disaster relief is not only badly-needed, it is long overdue. That’s why I look forward to the President signing this legislation into law as soon as it reaches his desk so that we can help move the people and communities affected by Sandy one step closer toward recovery.”

In a joint statement, New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy commented on the passage  of the disaster relief package.

"Our genuine thanks and gratitude goes out to the U.S. Senate for its thoughtful consideration and passage of the Hurricane Sandy disaster relief package. Despite the difficult path in getting to this moment, the Senate membership clearly recognized early on the urgency and necessity of approving the full aid package and its importance in rebuilding our battered infrastructure and getting our millions of affected residents back on their feet as quickly as possible. To all Americans, we are grateful for their willingness to come to our aid as we take on the monumental task of rebuilding and we pledge to do the same should our fellow citizens find themselves facing unexpected and harsh devastation.

"We also make special note of the tenacious efforts of our respective Congressional delegations in steering the Sandy aid package through their respective houses and bringing this aid home to their people."